I'm always on the look-out for something different in soul, R&B and funk. Something new that's passed my radar or some rarely-heard but higly regarded obscurity that's being reissued. Maybe some artists who've been collected in a comp in a very appreciative way.

Here's a place to recommend such albums.

Wild Wild Women features two artists- Lavern Baker and Ruth Brown. These are their original Atlantic recordings from the 50s-early 60s. 14 songs from each of these amazing women. I have to admit I hadn't heard many of these songs before and never on cd. On my first listen, I believe I'm more partial to Lavern Baker's voice and singing style, I do love her jump blues sound. Then again, I do love the strong dynamic vocals of Ms Brown. This essential album is out now on Rev-ola records. If you're new to these two soul pioneers, here's a fantastic starting spot.

One that I only recently picked up but am loving is the Doris Duke reissue 'I'm a Loser'. Great production and singing, plus unsettling songwriting, mostly from swamp dogg, make for a really cool album.

Also, depending on how loosely we are using the term soul, Charlie Rich's complete Hi Records are really, really great. Yes, this is "behind closed doors" charlie rich, but listen and tell me these aren't soul.

Currently I'm listening to Bettye LaVette's "lost" album Child of the Seventies. This was recently reissued on Rhino Handmade label. The album was recorded in 1972 at Muscle Shores and was scheduled for a fall 1973 release on Atco. A single was pulled from the LP, "Your Turn to Cry", but it went nowhere. The full length never saw the light of day until a European release in the mid 1990s (until this cd came out, rumors were that the master tapes had been destroyed in a warehouse fire).

Fortunately Rhino has given the album it's first US release and with 10 great bonus tracks. The album is instant Southern soul classic. "Your Turn to Cry" must not have recieved much support from radio or the label as it is a magnificent soul ballad. I love the New Orleans sound of "It Ain't Easy", gorgeous love songs "Ain't Nothing Gonna Change Me" and "My Love is Showing", the funky charm of "The Stealer" and "Soul Tambourine" and the social commentary (love these kind of songs!) of "All the Black and White Children". Not a bad song or filler on the album. Some nice ballads and burning soul among the bonus tracks, as well as a rollickin' great cover of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold". The soul reissue of the year? Gotta be!

Beginning of the End had a 1971 hit with "Funky Nassau Part 1 & 2". Recently found the album on cd. It's a very, very nice blend of Carribean rhythms, funky guitars, jazz-rock that isn't over-the-top and a summery feel that simmers and sizzles. Not a bad track here, and I'm especially liking "Surrey Ride" and"Monkey Tamarind".

gotta give her love-the volumes-1964 is one of the greatest but very underrated soul songs ever,the tears-the supremes-1961 a great girl group gem,a doo-wop classic with mary wilson on lead,one of the very few supremes songs recorded while barbara martin was still in the group-never could you be-the impressions-1965 this song was buried in the annals of impressions hits,but once you hear it you'll know that it belongs up with the best of em.

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Originally posted by keylimetrev:
One that I only recently picked up but am loving is the Doris Duke reissue 'I'm a Loser'. Great production and singing, plus unsettling songwriting, mostly from swamp dogg, make for a really cool album.

Many thanks for mentioning this album, key. I haven't heard such heartbreaking (and honest) songwriting in regards to relationships for a long time- and most of these tracks were recorded back in '69 and '71. Songs such as "How Was I to Know You Cared", "Ghost of Myself" and "I Don't Care Anymore" set the pace in this magnificent southern soul collection. A few of the upbeat songs may derive from starting over again after being wronged and Ms Duke lets you know she's got the strength to survive. Definately an essential gem!

Glad you like it Crazed. Definately a classic that came out of nowhere for me when I first heard it.

Since this seems like an appropriate place, and I haven't mentioned it in a couple months, I'll once again bring up David Ackles' three Elektra albums, and in particular his third album 'American Gothic', which were reissed a few years back. Anyone who likes Randy Newman, Nick Cave, or even early Tom Waits should hear them.

Wow, here's a real gem of an album- Let My People Go by Darondo, recently released on the amazing Luv N' Haight label . Sounding somewhat like Al Green, his songs also would have been right at home on albums from Marvin Gaye or James Brown. The cd collects recordings from Dorondo's early 70's sessions and they sound both very fresh and classic at the same time. I'd heard the funky "Legs Pt.1" a few years back on some soul comp but wasn't sure who Darondo was- a lost marvel from years passed or a funky retro-act.

Here's some sounds from the album at Luv 'N Haight/Ubiquity-

Darondo

Darondo suffered from too-high expectations on my part when I first listened to him. After reading a review which basically made this sound like the greatest soul record ever made, I bought it and was less than blown away. After some distance though, it really is pretty good, and "didn't I" is one of the best tracks I've heard in a while.

Picked up Movements Vol.2 in a Louisville record shop while on vacation. This is a fantastic compilation of exciting funk songs with awesome, energetic beats. I'd only heard a couple of these tracks before now. My top picks are "Southern Fried Chicken" by Bill Thomas & The Fendells, "Bahama Soul Stew" by Funky Nassau, "When Love Comes Home" by Chet Ivey & His Fabulous Avengers and "Bring Out Yourself" by Emperors Soul 69. A collection definately worth hunting down.

Timmy Thomas had one huge hit with "Why Can't We Live Togather". I ran into a great collecton of his stuff, Why Can't We Live Together: Best of The TK Years 1972-81 recently. His hypnotic drum machine sound accents a few songs while a few other tracks are more low-key dance oriented. The best numbers remind me of another one-major-hit wonder from the '70s, William DeVaughn. Very nice collection from a voice that I want to hear more records from.

Fans of 70/80s soul & funk rarities are advised to check out the on-line shop "Vinyl Masterpiece" - http://www.vinyl-masterpiece.com/

They have cd reissues I haven't seen anywhere else.

Vampi Soul is a great label from Spain that reissues many worthwhile soul & funk albums. I highly recommend the Sensacional Soul: 37 Groovy Spanish Soul & Funk Stompers, 1966 to 1976 compilation Vampi recently released. Not all songs here are in Spanish, there's a nice mix of English and Spanish tracks as well as a bunch of funky instumentals. A few songs have a nice jazzy feel and there's some pysch-influenced soul included as well. Two great covers I'm groovin' over include Jimmy Stone's version of Sly & Family Stone's "Family Affair" and Tony Ronald's cover of the classic, "Summertime".

Picked up a reissue of The Nineteenth Whole's Smilin' recently. This is a 1972 album from an Indianapolis jazz, funk & soul band. A five song record, one vocal track and four sizzlin' instrumentals including a nice cover of War's "Slippin' Into Darkness". I can imagine this band would have been a great opening act for Isaac Hayes in it's time. Recommended for fans of instrumental soul jazz.

Some great regional funk singles are finally being reissued on cd. The Jazzman label released the excellent Texas Funk and Midwest Funk collections. Now they've followed those with an equally brilliant Florida Funk set. The only artist on the album I'd heard before is Pearly Queen. This cd is loaded with great funk singles, both vocal and instrumental. My top three favorites are the Universals "New Generation", the Outlaw Gang's "Funky Fast Bump" and best of all, Coke's "No No". Jazzman always includes an extensive notes on the artists, and this is probably the best package I've seen from them, and that includes the music selection. This cd is a must have for funk fans. Don't miss it!

Here's a great find: Bob & Gene's If This World Were Mine. A collection of songs from this Buffalo NY duo from the late '60s-early '70s. A Philly/Chicago soul sound, Motown-like songwriting and some killer harmonies. No earth shattering funk or deep lyrics but a discfull of real heart melting soul- and nothing beats that.

Rhino recently released another of their superior box sets....

What It Is!! collects rare/unreleased stuff from Atlantic & Warner Bros...terrific funk, soul, blues etc.

A great Chiffons collection from Stateside is also worth buying..

Highly recommend two reissues from Betty Davis- her 1973 s/t album and it's 1974 follow-up, They Say I'm Different. Wild funky-soul a la Sly Stone and harder Tina Turner. The emphasis is on sex and partying in these tracks. Davis was married to Miles Davis for a brief spell. These albums came after they split. The reissue of Betty Davis includes bonus tracks of b-sides and early material while They Say I'm Different's bonus material is demos for songs on that album. Hard to pick a favorite of the two albums though my favorite track of hers is "Anti Love Song" from the debut release. Both have hard raunchy R&B funk throughout, absolute dynamite stuff. I hope they reissue her third record, Nasty Gal, with the same detailed attention and quality sound as these gems. Not sure about her later recordings, though she's pretty much a recluse these days with no interest in music.

Picked up a couple albums recently by Leon Thomas. The music is a fantastic mix of jazz and soul. The atmosphere in the albums brings to mind the Afro-funk/jazz band, Oneness of Juju. 1972's Blues and the Soulful Truth is probably the more jazzy of the two albums. There are occasional yodels (yes, yodels) in some of the tracks but they add an other-worldliness aura to the feel of this material. "L-O-V-E" and "China Doll" are my favorite selections here, as well as covers of "Gyspy Queen" and "Boom-Boom-Boom".

Full Circle from 1973 is more pop and less jazz but very soulful. The highlights include two covers- Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and a song made well known by Michael Jackson, "I Wanna Be Where You Are" (though Thomas makes it his own here). The track I like best, "Just in Time to See the Sun", could have fit easily into the prior album. My copy of this album has alternate take bonus tracks of several songs, the best being "I Wanna Be Where You Are" which sounds even the more soulful.

I'd love to hear Thomas' Spirits Known and Unknown and Leon Thomas Album, though I don't think either has been reissued on cd.

Black Gold: Sought After Soul- Northern & Rare Soul Grooves. Picked up this 2 cd, 40 song Castle Records collection recently. I hadn't heard any of these gems before. All the tracks were released on small labels during the early '70s. Most of the artists are Northern Soul but I could pick out what sounded like Philly and Chicago soul. Best artist find for me is Willie & West who contribute a couple tunes (as well as The New Sounds). Most interesting inclusion is "Alley Full Of Trash & Bottles" by Otis Smith which has a fuzzy, soul-blues feel and some smokey R&B vocals. Thumbs up to Castle/ Sanctuary for bringing these excellent songs out of obscurity.

Fans of Bettye LaVette, Aretha Franklin and early '70s femme soul should hunt down the recently reissued Soul Fever by Marie Queenie Lyons. Originally released in 1970, this instant soul classic should have made Lyons a chart topper. The music straddles the fine line between James Brown and Al Green. Fantastic arrangements and vocals highlight the entire album. My favorite tracks include a heart-stomping "I'll Drown In My Own Tears", the amazing "We'll Cry Together", the wild "Your Thing Ain't No Good Without My Thing", the smokin' funky "You Used Me" and the ultra-gorgeous "Try Me". Lyons disappeared from the music scene after this magnificent platter was recorded. Fortunately Vampi Soul has brought it back to us soul lovers to enjoy forever. Soul Fever is definitely essential.