quick audio picks: 12
Apparently these are two of the rarest James Brown productions, reissued on one 45. They also happen to be ridiculously funky, not your surface funky, but a deep-down soul funky. Kay Robinson's "The Lord Will Make A Way(1)" is some life-changing, inspirational...
expand review funk while Wendy Lynn's "I Can Remember(2)" is more of an undercover type of funk that creeps up on you like Motown classic. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Pick! It's easy to hear why "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out(1)" has been on constant rotation here at the Lab (as well as being praised by the likes of Mark Ronson and Gilles Peterson). The refreshing 60's soul grooves topped with Mayer...
expand review Hawthorne's infectious, falsetto singing style have confused many (including this reviewer) into thinking this was either some old rare 45 or some kind of break beat re-edit, but believe it or not, this is actually a completely original song - produced, played, AND sung by a 29-year old white dude from Michigan! For real, this kid's got soul. Check the late nite slow jam "When I said Goodbye(2)" for even more proof. I predict big things in the near future for Hawthorne - he's definitely bringing the realness. Limited press of 1000 on cherry red, heart shaped vinyl. Highly Recommended. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
Naomi Shelton's name is already well known to funk collectors and DJs for her work with Sugarman & Co. during the Desco era, and now she's letting her spiritual side show with her first release for Daptone. The tight slow funk of...
expand review "What Have You Done?(1)" highlights Naomi's deep, experienced vocals with perfect backups from the Queens and production from Boscoe Mann bringing everything to a boil. Naomi sets off "I'll Take The Long Road(2)" with some spoken word, then eases into a super mellow, vintage sounding 60s soul/rnb session. Play this Sunday morning and feel less guilty about not going to church. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Two juicy joints from Nina flipped in exquisite fashion on this second 7" from the BSTRD Boots series. DJ Obah's Recycled Funk Remix of "Four Women(1)" has just enough boom bap and jazzy instrumentation to make any place feel like a cool...
expand review smokey lounge. Watch for Nina's explosive vocals at the climax of the song. Beautiful, powerful stuff. The Peabody & Sherman's Passive Restraint mix of "Come Ye(2)" takes the flip and continues the vibe. The track is a slow burn with minimal drums (pretty much just woodblock!) and a walking bass that maintains emphasis on Nina's amazing voice. Both sides play at 33. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
A new pair of retro-sounding tropical cuts from Sean Marquand and Daniel Collas' Embassy Sound Productions (of Banda Uniáo Black fame). The Tim Maia-fronted Os Fantasmas set it off with some fuzzed-out Mutantes-esque funk-rock on "Uma Gelada(1)," then chill it out with...
expand review the absolutely stunning flute-laced blurry downtempo of "Suspiro(2)." Highly, highly recommended. -Van Hammersly
quick audio picks: 12
The Numero Group follows their monster 2CD Twinight compilation with these cool looking limited edition (750 copies each) reproduction 45s. Side A features one of the standouts from the comp, Renaldo Domino's "Not Too Cool To Cry(1)" with Syl Johnson. Flip features...
expand review another Domino composition, "Nevermore(2)." Catalog #TWI 128. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Gotta love these deadstock 7"s rolling through the Lab these days. While "Give It To Me Baby" and "Super Freak" were the obvious hits off the Street Life LP, "Ghetto Life(1)" and "Below The Funk (Pass The J)(2)" were those "sleeper hits"...
expand review that were pretty damn autobiographical (if you listen to the lyrics) and still flaunted that genius Rick James funk. OG press on the Gordy label. Recommended. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
How Law-haw-haw-hong Do We Have To Wait... For Ticklah to finally blow up? Hopefully not much longer after this gem starts getting more burn. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are already on the crazy ride of getting the recognition...
expand review they deserve, so who better to be next in line than Ticklah? He's an original Dap who has since moved on to Antibalas, playing with Amy Winehouse, playing on tracks for legends like Nas ("Fried Chicken", best song on the new album in my opinion), underground favorites like Quantic, Monk One and Chico Mann, and recording three full-length solo albums, the latest of which was a roots reggae jewel with two masterful Latin cover tunes that will hopefully be seeing vinyl soon. When Scion approached him for their Daptone Remix project he smartly chose an already great tune, "How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?(1)" and managed to bring out a whole new greatness. He played all the instruments and took the entire sound to a different place and time. It has the warmth of the past with the freshness of the future. That's just what he does. Even the Dub(2) is a complete song in it's own right. So hit dude up now if you want the magic touch because he'll be all booked up soon. Don't be like those fools who were asking me last February what the name was on my official Barack Obama campaign t-shirts, ok? Recommended. -Tkat
quick audio picks: 12
The latest 45 from Daptone (#37 if you're counting) features a pair of Boscoe Mann penned & produced tunes from Sharon and the Kings. The excellent title track(1) from their most recent long-player is here, but even more enticing is the previously...
expand review unreleased "Settling In(2)" on the flip - a slumping, blues-tinged little ditty with soul stirring vocals from Mz. Jones as always. Mmm, Daptone vinyl. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Been too long since we've heard from the first lady of Daptone, but this one doesn't disappoint. "I'm Not Gonna Cry(1)" is a heavy, groovy 70s style funk workout with lots of surprises and instrumental tricks from the Dap-Kings, and of course...
expand review Sharon's signature vocals. They jam out even harder on the instrumental flip, "Money Don't Make The Man." DAP-1031, if you're counting... -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
Outstanding mid 70s Floridian kid soul, first featured on Numero's Home Schooled comp. Pick your poison: the Triads get syrupy and soulful beyond their years on the midtempo groover "Now I Can Hold My Head Up High(1)," then crank up the energy...
expand review for jangly, fast-paced "If You're Looking For Love(2)." Can't decide which is better myself, but I think the chorus on "Looking For Love" gives it the slight edge. Note: center labels are reversed. Recommended. -Van Hammersly
quick audio picks: 12
Quality, 7" original label reissue of the Village Caller's "Hector," a 1968 festive trove of sampling inspiration. It's been touched by several big wigs, most notably the Beastie Boys, but don't forget Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Ice Cube, and Redman. Part...
expand review 1(1) on the a-side, and the break-led Part 2(2) on the flip. Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Truth & Soul keeps the funk rollin' with these limited edition re-presses from Timothy McNealy's Shawn Label (home to his "Funky Movement No.2" and "Sagittarius Black"). Originally produced in 1972, Side A's cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On(1)" gives it to...
expand review you in that retro-style that almost seems to outdate the original! A female choir gets called to backup Timmy's soulful bursts as the sly guitar licks and rolling piano lace the funk. Although it's a notable cover, it is from the original Shawn label and the sound is a little rough. I guess it adds to the authentic appeal. On the flip is Timmy's cover of Al Green's "I'm Glad That You're Mine(2)." The female choir backs Timmy up once again and actually gives the song more of a soul, than a soul "pop" feel. If you like these two singles, the whole "Funky Movement" compilation from Truth & Soul is coming soon, so hold tight. -C'mish
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