Back in stock: Soul

Review: Alice Taylor, a prominent session singer in the 1970s Philly Soul scene, recorded two tracks in 1974 under producer Emanuel 'Manny' Campbell Jr. and composer Charles R. Bowen at Sound Room Studios. The resulting songs, '(I'm In Love With A) Rock 'n' Roll Singin' Superstar' and 'Sounds Ridiculous,' showcase Taylor's vocal prowess. The former is a pop-soul track capturing the era's fascination with rock 'n' roll, while the latter delves into a girl's affection for a daydreaming boy. Despite the initial poor pressing quality in 1975, Soul Junction has remastered these tracks and included a newly discovered alternate mix of 'Superstar' in a three-track EP, preserving Taylor's legacy for soul aficionados.

Review: On 'Good Weed And Red Wine', Seattle funk and soul group True Loves let on as to their favourite substantive combo. It's a potent pairing indeed. Their first release since 2021's album Sunday Afternoon finds the band revitalised and funky as ever, with leading saxophonist Skerik providing pleated heat, embossing his signature brass instrument over a Morricone-ish funk maunder. The legendary Nigel Hall joins on keys, impressing both whites and blacks with warm-bodied but firm fingertip hammerings. Mature, at peak, and munchy, without either a hint of paranoia or gone-offness, this unlikely fusion of vint and splint sure doesn't turn up skint!

Review: I'm Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville is a remarkable 2x12" vinyl set that revives the vibrant history of Black gospel music in Louisville. This collection is far more than just an anthology; it's a journey into a vital cultural heritage. The set chronicles the stories, challenges and victories of Louisville's gospel music community, highlighting a tradition deeply rooted in the city's Black churches. During the mid-20th century, many local grassroots labels captured and released key gospel recordings that formed a significant, yet nearly forgotten, body of work. Recognising the risk of these invaluable records slipping into obscurity, the Louisville Story Program, with generous support from The Owsley Brown II Family Foundation and Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation, undertook the mission of finding, cleaning, and digitizing these recordings to ensure their preservation. 26 newly restored tracks are featured here and housed in a old school tip-on gatefold jacket that perfectly preserves this wonderful edition. Local favorite gospel groups such as The Ecclesiastics, The Solomonaires, The Gospel Motivators and The Singing Son of Zion are just some of the ones included in this package. This vinyl release is much more than just a compilation; it's a tribute to the enduring spirit of Black pride, joy and determination, preserving the rich legacy of Louisville's gospel music for generations to come.

Review: Glasgow's Rebecca Vasmant is back with a sophomore album that comes through a new partnership between Women In Jazz, New Soil, and Marathon Music Group. Building on the acclaim of With Love From Glasgow, the bold Who We Are Becoming is another expansive vision for contemporary jazz in which Vasmant leads a 25-piece ensemble. Across the music, she explores themes of identity, growth and femininity and brings traditional jazz tropes up to date with modern textures. Featuring returning collaborators and new voices like Repeat Beat Poet and flautist GOkU, this record marks the first time Vasmant has included her own vocals, which deepens the personal resonance of the powerful sounds.

Review: Donna Washington is a US soul singer from LA who had a number of big hit including her duet with The Dramatics' LJ Reynolds, 'I'm Into You' 'You Can't Hide From The Boogie' is a disco gem that featured on the Boogie Times Presents The Great Collectors Vol. 8 compilation back in 2008 but now get its own pressing on a standalone 7". It's leggy, glossy and a real lung buster with funky drums and big horns. Linda Clifford's 'Build A Fire' is another track from the 1980s boogie and disco era that still bangs but has a more deep, stripped-back and seductive sound.

Review: Raised on gospel in Mobile, Alabama, Lynn White's path to soul stardom began in Ike Darby's record store, where her habit of singing along to the songs that boomed from the speakers spiralled into a recording deal, not to mention eventual marriage with the store owner. Her 1978 debut on Darby wove a string of local releases, but it was her smouldering 1982 single 'I Don't Ever Wanna See Your Face Again' that caught the attention of Memphis soul legend Willie Mitchell. Signing to Waylo, White spent the 80s carving out a distinctive place in Southern soul, with highlights like the modern soul favourite 'See You Later Bye'. This reissue brings together two standout tracks from her early 90s period: the Lanier & Co. assist 'I Don't Know Why' and a tender cover of George Jackson's 'The New Me'.

Review: French label PBT is absolutely on fire right now with a series of massive reissues of long-time boogie, funk and soul grails that will have collectors in a spin. Next up is this hidden gem from Florida's boogie funk archives, Pixie Dust by Wreckin' Crew, which was originally released in 1983 and was once a US-only rarity. It's a bass-heavy, synth-laced prized find for collectors and DJs featuring Robert Rans (who was the co-writer of Freeze's classic 'AEIOU') and veteran producer Kent Washburn. It's brimming with tight grooves and crisp drum programming while smooth vocal harmonies flow throughout. Every track radiates pure 80s boogie energy, all crafted with precision and ready to dominate dancefloors.