This is knockout.
Luminous, swinging, soaring soul music from 1971; richly arranged by Horace Ott.

Hank Jacobs was an accomplished West coast keyboard player, who smashed it with So Far Away in 1964.
One of his four releases on Alton Scott’s LA-based Call Me label, the slamming Elijah Rockin’ With Soul is a Northern favourite; whilst the more sophisticated, cool, sunroof-down East Side is a Popcorn and Lowrider go-to.

Magnificent roots from 1996. An expertly dubwise rhythm, with rolling, nyabinghi drums, deep bass, and terrific trombone. Militant lyrics with no let-up; dramatically delivered, channelling Burning Spear and Pablo Moses.

With Dub Judah.

With Japanese ska band The Determinations.

Giddying soul music from early-eighties Estonia!
A rework of I See Red by Frida, from Abba, with raw fiddle, and poetic new lyrics by Velly about camels and maidens; plus an unnerving version of Feel Like Makin’ Love.
Check it out!

A tough, funky, full-throated cross between raw boogie and Modern Soul, out of Jackson, Mississippi.
Ticking high hats school of Earl Young; bonkers bass.
Originally released by Joe Shamwell on his Shakin’ label, this was the Chymes’ first release, just prior to their deal with RCA.

A superb double-header, by way of Joe Evans’ New York label Carnival: a stylish, soulful dancer, and a beautiful harmony ballad.

A New Breed R&B humdinger.

45s of It’s Just Love by John Andrews and Look Away by The Shirelles are both gold-plated dancefloor classics; so it’s thrilling to present these interpretations by their co-composer — the great Valerie Simpson, of Ashford & Simpson —  out here for the first time.

Minimal, deep, dazed roots, steeped in session vibes.
Featuring Sly and Robbie at Channel One, from the same master tape as Rocks And Mountains (and likewise a Shaka plate, back in the day).

A compelling Spear-style chant over a bumping rhythm, from 2000. Ace.

Classic rocksteady. A sweet but urgent overture by Wentworth Vernal and Lloyd Parks, arranged by Tommy McCook.
As per the original 45 coupling, The Supersonics return on the flip for the surging, funky Soul Remedy, with tight, bluesy guitar, and Winston Wright blasting away on Hammond.
Beautifully done by Far East.

Over several years, Far East Records in Japan has faultlessly reissued more than fifty classic Treasure Isle sevens. Expert selections; impeccably restored labels, beautifully colour-matched, often using metallic inks; and great sound.
Over & Done With is out here for the first time, and it’s murder. Riding a banging bottom-end, with thunderous drum rolls, and magnificent horns with superb soloing, Monty coolly lays out his dignified, devastating dissection of a break-up, with the cutting, expository verve of prime Lord Kitchener.
‘When you came to my rescue, I gave all that I could give. Now that your purse is empty, you’ve left me the same way you came. Loving you is useless, you’re a waste of time, you’ve got no love, no sympathy on your mind… My darling, it’s over and done with.’
Baba Brooks leads the way on the flip, which sounds a lot better here than the original pressing. Killer, tear-up ska.