Capitalist Blues, ex-Carolina Chocolate Drop Leyla’s McCalla’s third album, shows a more physical, danceable side to her music. The title track is a swinging blues, and it’s easy to hear the classic New Orleans R&B in Me and My Baby, and the calypso in Money is King.

Capitalist Blues, ex-Carolina Chocolate Drop Leyla’s McCalla’s third album, shows a more physical, danceable side to her music. The title track is a swinging blues, and it’s easy to hear the classic New Orleans R&B in Me and My Baby, and the calypso in Money is King.

The album was produced by Jimmy Horn of New Orleans R&B band King James and the Special Men and features … More

Following on from Giant Steps, comes the second instalment in Kenny Mathieson’s series of jazz histories. Cookin’ examines the birth and development of two of the key jazz styles of the post-war era, hard bop and its related offshoot, soul jazz. Hard bop was the most exciting jazz style of its day, and remains at the core of the modern jazz mainstream even now.

Following on from Giant Steps, comes the second instalment in Kenny Mathieson’s series of jazz histories. Cookin’ examines the birth and development of two of the key jazz styles of the post-war era, hard bop and its related offshoot, soul jazz. Hard bop was the most exciting jazz style of its day, and remains at the core of the modern jazz mainstream even now.

It drew on the twin poles of bebop and the blues for its foundation, spiced up with gospel, Latin and … More

The legendary Okeh Records needs little introduction to soul music fans around the world. It has been relentlessly plundered and treasured for its slue of Northern Soul classics produced by A&R manager Carl Davis and his songwriter Curtis Mayfield during the “soul years” 1963-70. However, the imprint was originally launched 100 years ago in 1918 by Otto K. E. Heinemann who had already established a recording studio and pressing plant in New York City. The label name was derived from Heinemann’s initials O.K.E.H. From the very early years, Okeh issued records for minority audiences, such as its foreign language music, field recordings & Dixieland jazz

The legendary Okeh Records needs little introduction to soul music fans around the world. It has been relentlessly plundered and treasured for its slue of Northern Soul classics produced by A&R manager Carl Davis and his songwriter Curtis Mayfield during the “soul years” 1963-70. However, the imprint was originally launched 100 years ago in 1918 by Otto K. E. Heinemann who had already established a recording studio and pressing plant in New York City. The label name was derived from Heinemann’s initials O.K.E.H. From the very early years, Okeh issued records for minority audiences, such as its foreign language music, field recordings & Dixieland jazz

But perhaps the most significant recording was “That Thing Called Love” by Mamie Smith in 1920, the first ever by … More

Born OTD in 1933, Eunice Kathleen Waymon, AKA Nina Simone. Simone was an American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B and gospel. ‘From her raging, handwritten letters to late-night phone calls with David Bowie, this biography gets up close and personal with the tempestuous Nina Simone’

Born OTD in 1933, Eunice Kathleen Waymon, AKA Nina Simone. Simone was an American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B and gospel. ‘From her raging, handwritten letters to late-night phone calls with David Bowie, this biography gets up close and personal with the tempestuous Nina Simone’

Drawing on glimpses into previously unseen diaries, rare interviews and childhood journals, and with the aid of her daughter, What … More

The Mod Scene brings together 25 remarkable tracks, virtually all of them much sought after on original Decca/Deram 45s. 2 x LP set in heavyweight 180gm vinyl. This compilation features 25 rare & influential that helped shape the Mod scene. Mixing rock, blues & soul with electrifying energy, the ‘ Mods’ were sharply dressed & ready to take their sounds to the streets & were warmly embraced by the music-obsessed ‘ Mod’ fans. Includes tracks from Tom Jones, Paul & Barry Ryan, the Poets, Amen Corner, Small Faces, Chris Farlow, Graham “10cc” Gouldman, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Graham Bond Orchestra and many others.

The Mod Scene brings together 25 remarkable tracks, virtually all of them much sought after on original Decca/Deram 45s. 2 x LP set in heavyweight 180gm vinyl. This compilation features 25 rare & influential that helped shape the Mod scene. Mixing rock, blues & soul with electrifying energy, the ‘ Mods’ were sharply dressed & ready to take their sounds to the streets & were warmly embraced by the music-obsessed ‘ Mod’ fans. Includes tracks from Tom Jones, Paul & Barry Ryan, the Poets, Amen Corner, Small Faces, Chris Farlow, Graham “10cc” Gouldman, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Graham Bond Orchestra and many others.

Double vinyl LP available in store and online.

Belgium ‘Popcorn’ borrows its name from the 1969 James Brown LP, The Popcorn, which also became the moniker for the Popcorn Club in Vrasene, Flanders which, in its heyday, attracted 3,000 youths to its Sunday sessions. It was DJ Gilbert Govaert who pioneered the sound, blending blues, soul, jazz, latin, doo-wop and high-school pop in a unique melting pot that appealed to dancers seeking that chugging cha-cha beat.

Belgium ‘Popcorn’ borrows its name from the 1969 James Brown LP, The Popcorn, which also became the moniker for the Popcorn Club in Vrasene, Flanders which, in its heyday, attracted 3,000 youths to its Sunday sessions. It was DJ Gilbert Govaert who pioneered the sound, blending blues, soul, jazz, latin, doo-wop and high-school pop in a unique melting pot that appealed to dancers seeking that chugging cha-cha beat.

This unique set will appeal to Popcorn oldies fans, new breed Northern Soul fans and R&B collectors alike. Vinyl LP … More

The R&B Scene brings together 25 remarkable tracks, virtually all of them much sought after on original Decca/Deram 45’s. 2 x LP set in heavyweight 180gm vinyl. The British 1960s Rhythm & Blues music scene, was like no other, it borrowed the blues and rock & roll, and produced a sound that became a global success. Includes early recordings featuring David Bowie, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Jimmy Page, Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.

The R&B Scene brings together 25 remarkable tracks, virtually all of them much sought after on original Decca/Deram 45’s. 2 x LP set in heavyweight 180gm vinyl. The British 1960s Rhythm & Blues music scene, was like no other, it borrowed the blues and rock & roll, and produced a sound that became a global success. Includes early recordings featuring David Bowie, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Jimmy Page, Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.

Record Store Day 2019 Decca vinyl release available in store and online.

Born OTD in 1924, American pop and R&B singer, Lee Dorsey. A mainstay of the New Orleans music scene, Lee Dorsey’s funky and infectious sound was an essential party ingredient during the 60s and 70s. During this time he charted some ten singles, most of which were recorded under the aegis of producer/songwriter Allen Toussaint and often featured funk supremos The Meters.

Born OTD in 1924, American pop and R&B singer, Lee Dorsey. A mainstay of the New Orleans music scene, Lee Dorsey’s funky and infectious sound was an essential party ingredient during the 60s and 70s. During this time he charted some ten singles, most of which were recorded under the aegis of producer/songwriter Allen Toussaint and often featured funk supremos The Meters.

Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, this collection includes a selection of Dorsey’s biggest US singles including ‘Ya Ya’ (R&B No.1), … More

Born OTD in 1939, American singer & actress, Anna Mae Bullock, AKA Tina Turner. She began her career in 1958 as a featured singer with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, recording under the name “Little Ann” on “Boxtop.” Her introduction to the public as Tina Turner began in 1960 as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue with the hit single “A Fool In Love”. The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner is the very first longplayer from Ike & Tina, including the duos debut single A Fool in Love from 1960 and three additional singles. The album was originally released in 1961 from Sue Records in America and was reissued several times from different labels, it was also re-released in it’s original format on vinyl.

Born OTD in 1939, American singer & actress, Anna Mae Bullock, AKA Tina Turner. She began her career in 1958 as a featured singer with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, recording under the name “Little Ann” on “Boxtop.” Her introduction to the public as Tina Turner began in 1960 as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue with the hit single “A Fool In Love”. The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner is the very first longplayer from Ike & Tina, including the duos debut single A Fool in Love from 1960 and three additional singles. The album was originally released in 1961 from Sue Records in America and was reissued several times from different labels, it was also re-released in it’s original format on vinyl.

Vinyl LP available in store and online.

Combined here are the explosive talents of R&B and Soul music history featuring such legends as Joe Simon, Nina Simone, Bobby Adams, Grover Mitchell and Eddie Banks with his Five Dreamers. Back To The Beat bursts into action with a mighty fine slice of Tennessee soul courtesy of happy-go-lucky Herbert Hunter, a top-off that defines The Beat and is the first of two sides from Ted Jarrett’s Poncello imprint, the second being Ricky Rezell’s storming ‘What You Bet’.

Combined here are the explosive talents of R&B and Soul music history featuring such legends as Joe Simon, Nina Simone, Bobby Adams, Grover Mitchell and Eddie Banks with his Five Dreamers. Back To The Beat bursts into action with a mighty fine slice of Tennessee soul courtesy of happy-go-lucky Herbert Hunter, a top-off that defines The Beat and is the first of two sides from Ted Jarrett’s Poncello imprint, the second being Ricky Rezell’s storming ‘What You Bet’.

The pace is relentless as the heavyweights of rhythm & soul power through the set that pairs Northern Soul favourites … More