Various Artists - Motown In The Attic - Boot - Rare Soul (MP3 224MB)

Picked this novelty up for a couple of dollars in the "D", at that time it had a few tracks on new to me so i thought what the heck. The store owner told me some guy who used to work at motown hated gordys guts after he lost his job on the move out west to L.A...I was told a few 1000 people directly or indirectly were made redundant because of the move out west...but cant verify that but not surprised...anyway this guy was working at the pressing plant as a packer so had a sideline knocking these out calling himself phantom of the "D"...lol!.... mainly to Brit enthusiasts who were roaming around to buy 45,s etc. or anyone who was interested...Covered in dust when i found it yesterday , not seen the light of day in years!..it was ripped to mp3 like a lot of the old boots back in the day..Thought you might be interested ?...So its an all Detroit review today!

AMM

                                                                                                        The Tasters!

Various Artists - Witchcraft in the Air Detroit Soul 1957-1962 Vol 1 (2013 - 2 x CD) History Of Soul - Rare R&B/Soul (FLAC 989MB)

The black music scene in post war America was dominated by the emerging urban, electrified R&B scene in Chicago. Nearby Detroit was musically dwarfed, with much of its talent being drawn to the Windy City, but as the 50s drew  to a close, things began to change. Detroit’s population bulge coincided with the consumer boom, making its age profile younger than its neighbour’s. Thousands of southern black migrants were joined by many immigrants from Europe come to work in the automobile industry. Henry Ford’s pay was good, and with plenty of disposable income available for its inhabitants, Detroit became the goodtime capital of the USA.
Hundreds of bars, clubs and backroom record labels emerged, hosting a tidal wave of new talent. By 1960, although it was still too early for any definitive Detroit sound to be identifiable, the city was developing a lighter, more popular style than neighbouring Chicago. It was spearheaded by a young man from Gladstone Street, Berry Gordy whose distinctive Motown sound went on to dominate the 60s pop charts. The tracks on this CD represent the cream of this transitional pre Motown era, when various labels, artists and producers were putting out popular music that they hoped might get noticed and sell enough to make them rich and famous. Back then no one knew that Berry Gordy Jr would emerge victorious and define the Detroit sound for the decade that followed. Moxy Got this & vol 2 in a market cheap as chips so he tells me and a gem of an album..If any kind soul has the booklet please send it our way...thx

AMM

                                                                                         Courtesy Of Moxysoulandjazz

                                                                                                          The Tasters!

Various Artists - The Motorcity Scrap Book Detroit Soul 1960-1963 Vol 2 + Booklet (2015 - 2 x CD) History Of Soul - Rare Soul/R&B (FLAC 634MB)

 

                                                                                          Courtesy Of Moxysoulandjazz

                                                                                                           The Tasters!

Diamond Joe Maryland - Lost New Orleans Soul Hero (2023) - Rare Soul (MP3 81.2MB)

One of the more obscure recording artists from the New Orleans’ area, but frustratingly, one of the best and least recorded. Joe made only 7 45s in the 1960s for various labels that were affiliated with Allen Toussaint. His voice is somewhat reminiscent of Willie West, but in a slightly smokier baritone. Perhaps best known for his 2 part single, Moanin’ and Screamin’, but also took on edgier material, such as the zither introduced song, Fair Play. Joe was born, and raised in a small town about 40 minutes to the west of NO, LaPlace. During his short recording career, he made a good living as an auto mechanic (same as Lee Dorsey) in his hometown, given its proximity to chemical plants and refineries, and the constant need for repair and maintenance work on their trucks and machinery. Given the steady pay from those endeavors, Joe was apparently hesitant to give that up for the uncertainty of a career in the music business. Although only rumored, part of this hesitancy may have also been the influence that Ernie K-Doe had on Allen Toussaint. Both K-Doe and Joe were managed by Toussaint, and K-Doe was allegedly intimidated by Joe’s early recordings and supposedly used his influence over Toussaint (remember, Mother-In-Law was a gigantic hit at that time) to get him to not push Maryland’s career choice. These singles are the entire Diamond Joe recording legacy; he never recorded a proper album. Enjoy gents!

Pmac. 

I can tell you now this is a brilliant collection !..only recognise 3 from the Northern Scene

AMM 

                                                                                  Courtesy Of Pmac....Thank You!

                                                                                                       The Tasters!

Various Artists - Northern Soul Kittens - Vol 1 (2015) Soul Kitchen - Rare Soul (MP3 144MB)

 

                                                                                     **********REQUEST**********

                                                                                                             The Tasters!

Various Artists - Girlstown - (2004) Soul Kitchen - Rare Northern Soul (MP3 136MB) + THANKS TO ALL MY LOYAL MEMBERS!

I am really knocked out by the response from most of you guys,the backbone of the blog, for your wonderufl emails of support and not one moan or complaint endorses my action in taking the blog forward in this direction & hopefully get rid of the low life,s masquerading as decent folk.   TAKE A BOW YOU ARE ALL A GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS!!!...To the rest still sitting on the fence, you have until the end of the year to change your minds, as you wont find music of this gender & quality anywhere else that we all love & enjoy...My Daughter & her Husband will be in touch with the members staying on the blog about the details etc.....Right lets get back to why we are all here...More from those naughty guys in Belgium behind the BAR & MARGINAL Boots comes another long lost gem filled with juicy masterpieces!

AMM

                                                                                                          The Tasters!

Gene Chandler - Chisound Sessions 1978-1982 (2013) 2 x CD + Bonus Tracks + Booklet - Rare Soul (FLAC 1GB)

This stunning collection includeds Gene,s years at the Chi-Sound label with his 3 albums ("80" & "Here,s To Love" being among my personal faves) included along with 9 bonus tracks, a great artist and a must have from the legend!

AMM                                                                  

                                                                                  **********REQUEST**********

                                                                                                        The Tasters! 

                                                                                                             DEMO VERSION

Eddie Hinton - Very Extremely Dangerous (LP 1978 Capricorn - CD 2009 Shout) - Rare Soul/Blues (FLAC 254MB)

The great Eddie Hinton likened to a white Otis Redding with his own unique distinctive style. This was the mans debut album for 9 recorded in the studio. A cult hero among those who know and love their Muscle Shoals music, Eddie was a fixture of the Shoals recording scene in the mid-late '60s. As well as being a prolific and immediately recognizable session guitarist, and a great singer who sadly recorded far too infrequently, Eddie regularly wrote fine songs with a peer group that at various times included Donnie Fritts and Dan Penn. It makes a mockery of soul is to do with the colour of the skin, yes perhaps 95% of the time but listen to this guy on the tasters ..i rest my case...brilliant!

AMM 

                                                                                ********** REQUEST **********

                                                                                                         The Tasters!

 

Sunday Review - Pat Metheny Group - Speaking Of Now - Live In Japan (2002) Tokyo NHK Hall - Jazz Fusion (1.53GB) 2 Hours 14 minutes

 This really is a fantastic concert from Guitar legend Pat Metheny with a great band behind him!

AMM

                                              

                                                                                                           A TASTER!

                                                          Courtesy Of Hakase.....Thank You!....Good for 7 Days Only

The Notations - The Notations - (LP 1976 Gemigo - CD 1997 Charly + Bonus Track) - Rare Soul (FLAC 233MB)

This was The Notations from chicago,s debut album on Gemigo records part of curom but reissued on Charly UK with a bonus track..The first 2 tasters were floor fillers back in the day, still are when played out, superb stuff!

AMM 

                                                                                                             The Tasters!

 

Various Artists - Soul Kitchen Vol 1 - (2004) Stomptown - Rare Soul (MP3 156MB)

Came across this yesterday so thought some of you guys might be interested in this old Boot, when i find vols 2 & 3 same applies as they are hiding somewhere. Its staggering how these old boots are going for crazy money ? World gets more insane by the day. All top tunes!..I wonder what made me take scans of everything i backed up before i decided to start the first blog ?..my wife says "thats easy, Anorak-o-ritis "...who am i to argue ?...🤣

AMM

                                                                                                          The Tasters!

Various Artists - The Northern Soul of Vee Jay (2011 + Booklet) Outta Sight - Rare Soul (FLAC 385MB)

There are some very rare tracks on this album featuring the cream of the label. One of outta sights very best releases. Many of these tracks were played in the underground clubs of the 1960,s here in the UK, The Twisted Wheel & Iron Door Clubs featured nearly all these tracks. Has anyone encountered a problem when scanning a CD Disc ?  As ive tried countless times to do this one....uninstalled/reinstalled scanner a few time...New one on me!...many thx to OSR for booklet.

AMM

                                                                                  ********** REQUEST **********

                                                                                                            The Tasters!

Reid Inc- Reid Inc (1977) Bold - Rare Soul (MP3 66.7MB)

An obscure female soul project from 1977 on the tiny Bold Records label part of TK Records,Miami. Production by Clarence Reid, hence the group's name! The groove here is very much in the best Miami club mode of the time, upbeat, but still nicely gritty overall more fast funk in the instrumentation, with slight touches of strings and vocals from the quartet that slide nicely into the rhythms, which themselves bear plenty of TK touches! The whole thing's got a feel that's a lot better than you might guess from the cover, kind of a rougher take on the Gwen McCrae vibe of the time, almost set loose to do things with a more relaxed approach overall. And the vocals are surprisingly strong at points too with one singer coming to the forefront with a deeper soul mode than you might expect. I bought this LP as a new release and sold it to a very good friend who drove me nuts for it, so this is ye old faithfull back up with scans. Could never find out anything on the group. Don,t know if it was a real group or a studio put-together group or gals from his Blowfly Era, i suspect it was the latter. Whatever,it's a pretty good album. Clarence only recorded 4 albums under his own name but a whopping 29 under his Blowfly alias. To say this side of him is weird is an understatement, if anyone has checked Blowfly out!

AMM 

                                                                                 ********** REQUEST **********

                                                                                                         The Tasters!

 

Various Artists - What’s The Word – Socially Conscious Soul Music (2011) Backbeats - Rare Soul (FLAC)

Not seen a copy of this in years so thanks moxy for slinging it over, no explaination needed as the title says it all from the creme de la creme of soul artists voicing their opinions about shit that never ever gets put to bed, nothing changes does it sadly ?

AMM

                                                                        Courtesy Of Moxysoulandjazz....Thanks Moxy!

                                                                                                            The Tasters!

Bohannon - Brunswick Complete Singles Collection (2015) Solid/Dakar - Rare Funk (FLAC)

Hamilton Bohannon a funk legend and a great album that is essential...Apart from a great performer and innovator he was also a producer, songwriter, arranger, and bandleader. Born 1942, in Georgia passed 2020. He Moved to Detroit in the early 1960s and worked as sideman for Stevie Wonder between 1965 and 1967 and became arranger for all of Motown,s top acts. When motown relocated to Los Angeles in the early 1970s he remained in Detroit, formed his own band and released 21 albums between 1973 and 1990 on the Dakar label and moving on to Mercury & a few more before calling it a day. Just came across my copy but was sent this a while back. The guy knew how to pack floors back in the day, what i like was their was a jazzy undertone to his recordings sometimes.

AMM

                                             

                                                    **********  Courtesy Of Hakase...Thank You! **********

                                                                                                             The Tasters!

The Best of Chi-Sound Records 1976-1984 (2 x LP 2022) Digital (2023) Rare Soul (FLAC 626MB)

Why this was never released ona CD is a mystery. Till now Vinyl only but came out on Digital in China so i,m told by a member who lives there. There really are some wonderful stand out tracks here Founded by carl davis who also ran the Okeh label in the 60,s.!

AMM

                                                       ********** Courtesy Of Kenji ....Thank You!**********

                                                                                                      The Tasters!

 

Various Artists - Stax of Funk Vol. 2 (More Funky Truth) (2002 + Booklet) BGP - Rare Soul/Funk (FLAC 410MB)

Every one of us has a favourite record label. I think for many of us Stax is pretty much at the top of the pile. The independently owned Memphis label recorded soul for 15 years, both up-tempo and impassionately down. It scored hits in the USA and around the world and gave the world the iconic star quality of both Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes to name but two of its finest. The roll call beyond them is legendary and could take up a whole sleeve note but Booker T and the MGs, Johnnie Taylor, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Sam and Dave, the Bar Kays, William Bell and the Staple Singers all made the label known to fans of good music the world over. But we're record collectors, vinyl extremists and, maybe the odd "anorak" has an involvement as well, so what really gets us going are the obscurities, the ones that got away, i love discovering these on 45. Stax Of Funk 2 could be a tribute to that sort of record. The first Stax Of Funk vol 1 reviewed yesterday gathered up some fine records that "got away" or missed at the time by collectors. Vol 2 finds great tracks by the Emotions and the Sweet Inspirations. But we cover virtually all points on the funk compass. We have blues funk from Albert King and Jimmy McCracklin. We have proto disco grooves from Sir Mack Rice, the blaxploitation exploits of the Bar Kays and the non blaxploitation film theme from the Staple Singers'. Oh and yes there is the unreleased and very funky Rufus Thomas number called "Doin' The Side Saddle". On top of this we have a whole load of hard core down and heavy funk. Lee Sain's "Them Hot Pants", "Shame On The Family Name" by Calvin Scott, Bernie Hayes' "Cool Strut" are all sure fire floor fillers whether you are a DJ or just playing a CD in your front room. And whilst we are at it we've got Reggie Milner's "Soul Machine" which shares its backing track with "Tick Tock Baby" by Quickest Way Out on the Karen label from Detroit, now that's a great record, but Reggie is even better. So this is the Memphis Sound, only the funkiest Memphis sound you will ever hear with obscururities in abundance for "anoraks" like me!..What a label!!!

AMM

                                                                                                        The Tasters! 

Various Artists - FREE SOUL - The Treasure Of Tabu (2014 + Booklet) Solid Japan - Rare Soul (FLAC 705MB)

Another long deleted gem i came across when sorting out my mess of a collection from a great label known to soul fans mainly because of the superb brainstorm releases. Again Japan only release. Contains 3 now very rare tracks still played out in the modern rooms, Sharon ridley & Anacostia plus a special version of "just be good to me" found nowhere else but this album.. worth the price of the CD alone. Compiled by One of japan,s main men Toru Hashimoto, ...superb "modern" soul!...Looking online at the prices of some of these rare CD,s is getting crazy to say the least. You buy them on release at a fair price before they become in demand & skyrocket in price.

AMM

                                                                                                        The Tasters!

 

Various Artists - Stax of Funk The Funky Truth (2000) BGP - Rare Soul/Funk (FLAC 437MB)

Memphis never really recovered from losing Stax. If you want to make music in the southern states of America these days you go to Atlanta. But maybe it wasn't all bad, there's a fair chance that Rick Dees' awful Disco Duck would have ended up on the legendary label, it is after all a Rufus Thomas groove badly executed (YUK!). But the hangover continues and no major independent operation now runs from the city that created so much of America's popular music history. For many years Stax was considered to be a label of parts, great in its Atlantic distributed blue period, less so in the finger clicking era. Ace has unearthed album after album of amazing soul, and four albums of rather tasty funk. BGP got in on the act, digging out the most appropriate cuts for today's rare funk scene and giving them a suitable stylish home together on Stax Of Funk. So here we have a host of the heaviest funk available. Why for instance was Rufus Thomas' Funky Hot Grits unreleased for the best part of 2 decades ? And why was his infectious "Turn Your Damper Down" hidden on a flip side ? ... The essential cuts from Roy Lee Johnson's rare album are included as is Kim Weston's explosive "Brother's And Sisters (Get Together)" and also how Little Sonny made the harmonica funky...Sexy Funk comes in the form of The Sweet Inspirations as they ooze through the fantastic "Slipped and Tripped", Mable John gets down and dirty, whilst Inez Foxx gives some warning about bad lovers. Hot Sauce's "I'll Kill A Brick About My Man" isn't so much sensual as paranoid, which gives it exactly the sort of edge that makes for inspired listening. On the rare side Bobby Holley's obscure 1970  groove "Movin' Dancer", Lee Sain's fantastic"She's My Old Lady Too" and a full length version of Harvey Scales' rare Stax distributed release "Broadway Freeze" are included. The Bar Kays make an actual appearance with the long time unreleased "Sock Soul" which was recorded for their debut album. But for me the best is little Sonny & the Soul Children's take on Bill Withers "Who Is She And What Is She To You" which originally appeared on the 5000 Volts Of Stax compilation of unreleased Stax cuts. Those with a funky edge may have missed this. So go and enjoy this STAX POWERHOUSE!...or whatever..lol!...Vol 2 follows on tomorrow..Spot the rare Northern tracks!!!

AMM 

                                                                                                        The Tasters!

Bob James - Heads (LP 1977 - CD 1993) Tappan Zee Japan - Rare Smooth Jazz/Funk/Fusion (FLAC 318MB)

With nearly 60 albums to his credit Bob is a legend in modern Jazz terms. Pianist/Keyboard wizard there,s not many around who he hasnt worked with. This is his 5th studio album & is joined by David Sanborn & Grover washington on Saxophones & Eric gale on Guitar. Posted to the old blog in mp3 so an upgrade. I have everything he,s done and still replacing my worn LP,s with CD,S if i can, including the great CTI label...great to hear this out again after so long!

AMM

                                                                                                       The Tasters!

 

Kent 008 - The Impressions - The Never Ending Impressions (1983) LP - Rare soul (FLAC 164MB)

You guys cant get enough of these Kent releases especially the early LP,s that so many people missed out on.

AMM

                                                                                                         The Tasters!

Kent 009 - The Impressions - Keep On Pushing (1983) LP - Rare Soul (FLAC 202MB)

 

                                                                                                       The Tasters!

Yutaka - Love Light (1981 LP Version) Alfa Promo + Booklet - Rare Smooth Jazz/Funk/Fusion (FLAC 277MB)

Yutaka Yokokura is a Japanese-American pianist, keyboardist,expert kotoist, arranger, composer and producer, with love for Brazilian music. In 1972 Yokokura moved to the U.S. to attend Cal State Long Beach University and there he stayed. Also known with his alias as Carlos Y. Del Rosario ?. He was well known in the Jazz/Funk clubs here in the UK for some great dancers. This was his debut album from only five recorded and now a collectors piece. This really is a beautiful album, more relaxed as opposed to his later efforts. Very much in the vein of Bob James classics on CTI. The Koto is a wonderful instrument as this guy testifys!. A soulful bit of fusion from Japan and a host of great guest stars that include Dave Grusin, Steve Gadd, Osamu Kitajima, Eddie Daniels, and Patti Austin! Patti serves up some great lead vocals on the soul track "Love Light"  a sweetly grooving modern soul track that's worth the price of the album alone moving along at a nice mellow clip, with great jazzy solos cascading next to the vocals! Other tracks include some nice fusion numbers including the funky "Oriental Express", and the cuts "The Rest Of My Life", "Breath Of Night", and "Dragonfly" all tight tracks in the best 70s Japanese Jazz fusion mode!

AMM

                                                                                                         The Tasters!

George Semper - Makin' Waves (1966) LP Imperial - Rare Mod/Soul/Hammond/Blues/Intrumentals (FLAC 232MB)

I purchased this great album after hearing a few tracks played out in a soul/mod club years ago in the 1960,s. As the follow on review on Art Jerry ( both albums from the same era and many similarities) another very experienced musician with an amazing track record. Born in trinidad in 1942 he came over to the states at a young age and settled in San Diego till he passed in 2009. Working very hard to get his success he is more for the Famous Inner City record label he set up as well as Inner City Attractions & Parlour Records. He was an executive of Jimmy Smith owned Mojo Records, and AR for others including A&M and Imperial Records. if that wasnt enough he was the Owner of San Diego Market Street East and co-owner of Jazzville nightclubs where he met brenton Wood and became his manager for a few years. Where he got the time to write songs is anybodys gues as he wrote for many top famous black performers in the soul genre and is credited on many great northern dancers. He is considered a Hammond B3 innovator of the jazz organ from the 60s and Godfather of Bay Area Funk from the 1970's..Only 2 albums & a handfull of 45,s to his credit, but his name pops up all over the place on 45,s & albums in some capacity. The tasters were all massive records at the Twisted Wheel and other underground UK clubs at the time. His version of "Green Onions" is rarer than Booket T & the MG,s original !!!..So pleased i have found another great rare gem.

AMM

                                                                                                              The Tasters!