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Ravishing two-step rare groove from 1983; sophisticated, swinging, and heartfelt.
Backed with a bustling, super-infectious, boogie-down tribute to Muhammad Ali. Hot like classic Fatback, and sure to rock the house.
Lovely stuff, both sides; nattily sleeved.
‘Maxx Traxx (and Third Rail before them) were a scene unto themselves in early 80s Chicago, happening live on-stage five-plus nights a week. Their two LPs, both recorded in 1982, are like catching a bullet train, a sheer energy ride almost too explosive to be captured by studio tape. Hop the turnstile and move with this complete document of Chicago’s last great club band told in detailed text, newly revealed photos, and complete studio recordings painstakingly remastered.’
Many people rate this his best solo album, for murder like Pusherman, Freddie’s Dead and Give Me Your Love (and less persuasively because it trespassed most deeply into rock audiences).
‘This heavy script… I could relate with a lot of it… It allowed me to get past the glitter of the drug scene and go to the depth of it — allowing a little bit of the sparkle and the highlights lyrically, but always with a moral to that.’
Superior Rhino reissue, with die-cut sleeve.
Curtis, Curtis Live, Roots, Back To The World, Sweet Exorcist… all in their own slip-cases, with the original artwork… a steal.
Southern soul from her Columbia years, pre TK (but with Steve Alaimo producing, already). Killers like Lead Me On and I’m Losing The Feeling. Her voice never sounded better.
His terrific Positive-Negative LP from 1976, plus singles for Golden Voice, Mercury and Tosted (including the original Now That I Have You), and the sixties sides of his organ-funk combo the TMGs.
Lovely, characterful, poignant soul music which irresistibly radiates the singer’s worship of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye.
Al Green, Philly Soul and also-ran frustration are in the wings: What Can I Do came out of Grand Rapids on the coat-tails of Back Up Train; I’m A Stranger was recorded at Sigma, in the slipstream of Be Thankful For What You Got.
“I’m out here all alone… trying to find my way… I don’t know where to roam… I just don’t know what to say about all this… I’m a stranger.”
Blissful boogie-down soul by the Fatback Band alumnus, produced by Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams; originally released in 1978. With the almighty It Ain’t No Big Thing.
‘Two tracks from early 70s Los Angeles, around the time of his eponymous first LP. Say You is a superb updating of the Monitors’ harmony hit from 1965, given the distinctively sensitive McNeir treatment. I’m Sorry is a self-penned slow-burner that builds a perfect dancefloor beat.’
Deeply-felt soul from the twenty-two-year-old in 1972, following its own path onwards from Stevie Wonder, with a personality and integrity which stay with you.
Eddie Harris’ bassist with an effects box and guests like Lester Bowie and Phil Upchurch. Same vibes as Charles Stepney, the best Ramsey Lewis Cadets, early Earth, Wind And Fire…
‘Verve By Request.’