We Want Your Soul

[Art Vandelay]

So good. That album is such a unique piece of work, I just love it. I've never heard anything else like this before. It sounds like a million bucks.

 

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Gordon Staples and The String Thing - Strung Out (Motown, 1970)

 

Opener and title track Strung Out is the big tune, but the rest of the LP is a solid selection of funk instrumentals. Sounds of the Zodiac was probably my second favourite track. 

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Rotary Connection - Hey, Love (Cadet, 1971)

 

From a similar period, this is a cracking album of psychedelic soul. I knew Black Gold (via MAW/Nuyorican Soul) but the rest of the LP was new to me. Soaring vocals, complex arrangements and positive vibes throughout. Recommended.

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Tavares - Supercharged (Capitol, 1980)

 

I have to be honest - I thought Tavares were a (white) commercial Disco act, along the lines of The Bee Gees or Leo Sayer. In my defence, the only tracks I knew by them were the hits More Than A Woman, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel and It Only Takes A Minute. This album proved me wrong though! Bad Times is a top tier jazz funk jam, and whilst some of the other tracks on this LP are a bit poppy/cheesy in places, there are plenty of great vocal harmonies and chord progressions to enjoy. Paradise was my second favourite tune - there's a lovely little synth solo midway through that instantly elevated the song from 'nice ballad' to 'smooth groove', then a short while later there's a sweet sweet break at 3:36 when the drums, bass and keys all ramp up the funk.

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Oh and this is a nice little tune too. I heard the white label House remix first, but I think I prefer the Bossa-nova original.

 

Natalie Cole - Tell Me All About It, 2002

 

 

 

-EDIT-

And can I just say, what a fantastic time it is to be a music lover in the digital age.

I can instantly find out what a tune is called using Shazam.

I can listen to the LP it's taken from on Spotify while I'm working.

I can buy the best track(s) for 99p each to add to my music library.

I can load them onto my iPad and use them in a DJ set.

 

No paper want lists in your wallet.

No trawling through record shops in every town you visit.

No buying something hoping it was the right song/version.

 

Just 20 years ago, any of that would have been completely unbelievable. 

[IR354Lifeqhybot]

That Tavares album. Wow!! Great post.  I need to find time to listen to this page in detail. 

[Mr Monday]

That Webster Lewis and Love Unlimited Orchestra  track is amazing.  Seems to be hard to get on CD and my vinyl buying days are long gone unfortunately.

 

 

 

[Art Vandelay]

I knew Tavares has at least one certified banger.

 

 

There's also this version, which gets a bit stompy pop but still pretty OK.

 

 

[Art Vandelay]

I've been listening to this today – it has @ZOK's name written all over it.

 

 

[ZOK]

5 hours ago, Art Vandelay said:

I've been listening to this today – it has @ZOK's name written all over it.

 

 

It is very much is indeed, cheers! But what is it? A station playlist that is embedded into the forum via a link?

[Art Vandelay]

33 minutes ago, ZOK said:

It is very much is indeed, cheers! But what is it? A station playlist that is embedded into the forum via a link?

It’s just a show from WWFM they’ve uploaded to Mixcloud after broadcast. I didn’t realise the forum embedded them like that, nifty! 

[Art Vandelay]

Here's a nice early 80s floor filler.

 

 

[Mr Monday]

This channel is well worth checking out as the quality of the recordings is fantastic.  The particular example trounces the version on Tidal.

 

 

[ZOK]

4 hours ago, Mr Monday said:

This channel is well worth checking out as the quality of the recordings is fantastic.  The particular example trounces the version on Tidal.

 

 

Yes, that is clean as a whistle! Totally unlike my copy, which sounds like it’s had a pint spilled on it…which it probably has, it is a permanent resident in my playing out box:

 

 

That sleeve! 

[Mr Monday]

Posting this for those who’ve missed it.  Apparently the mixes and sound quality are top notch.  My copy arrives later this week.

 

John Morales Presents Teddy Pendergrass – The Voice – Remixed With Philly Love

[Camel]

Love this:

 

 

[IR354Lifeqhybot]

Oh my. Not heard this one in years. Classic from the mid 80's.

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Quality Latin funk. 

 

Harlem River Drive - Idle Hands, 1971. 
 

 

[acidbearboy]

And from the same compilation (and the reason I bought it) is this excellent cover of Deodato’s Soulful Strut. 
 

Joe Bataan - Latin Strut, 1973

https://www.discogs.com/release/187367-Various-Nu-Yorica-Culture-Clash-In-New-York-City-Experiments-In-Latin-Music-1970-77

[ZOK]

I was cranking this one out last night…what a tune! Jocelyn Brown in full belt it out mode over a thumping groove.

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Old style. New music.

80s electro-soul jam. 
 

 

[ZOK]

Very nice!

[Mr Monday]

The song has aged better than the video 

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Written and produced by the late great Rod Temperton in 1993. I think I just about prefer this version to the Quincy Jones / Tamia version that appeared a couple of years later, but it's a great song and they can both sing. 

 

 

[Adrock]

Tonight was the first time I got to see Lee Fields live, he was playing as part of the Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre. He was excellent and played a variety of songs all the way from Problems to his most recent stuff.

 

Here is one of my favourite songs from the Problems album for good measure. More funk than soul but he is definitely a soul singer.

 

 

 

 

[ZOK]

Yes he’s amazing, I saw him at Green Man in 2019, best thing we heard all weekend and there was lots of great stuff. He’s so lovely!

 

My favourite:

 

 

[acidbearboy]

The only track I didn't already know from the Jumpin' 2 tracklist and it's an absolute stomper! Thanks for the inspiration @Ste_S

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Stumbled onto this recent-ish (7"/digital) re-release of Don Blackman's Just Can't Stay Away - what a jam!

 

 

[acidbearboy]

I’ve been playing some of my record collection recently and the ‘H’ section was chock full of great songs. 
 

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Don’t Give Me Up (M&M 12” Dub). 

 

Hi-Gloss - You’ll Never Know (I’m Totally Yours on the b-side is also good). 

 

Howard Johnson - So Fine (you will need to skip the first 30 seconds of this video but the dancing is worth it)

 

[acidbearboy]

The self titled album by Hi-Tension has a lot of great tracks, especially the b-side. I think British Hustle was a hit single? I vaguely remember seeing them perform it on TOTP or similar. But it’s the weakest track on a strong side of 4 great tunes IMO. Power and Lightning is the highlight on side A.