I didn’t buy so much soul and funk this year. My habit hampered by a lack of free time, domestic supply (I can only afford to order from abroad when I get paid in pounds), and a scarcity of funds. However, around Record Store Day I was very, very fortunate to receive a big fix in the form of a huge care package from the fine folks at Prime Direct and Shine PR. This contained sides that I’ve know idea how I lived without by the Latin Blues Band, Hyla Parker, Cynthia Sheeler, Smithstonian, and the Toronados. Their 12” pressing of the unedited version of Marvin Gaye’s I Wanna Be Where You Are is a certified end-of-the-night / sunset / sunrise smash. 

Be With Records strengthened their crazy comprehensive program of reissuing library music gems, to the point where, as an uneducated novice, it was impossible to keep up. At the start of the year though, Tonio Rubio’s Rhythms was one that made me part with my cash. 

I did further dip my toes in the wonderful world of library music. I always do this tentatively, since, unless I’m careful, it’s somewhere that I’m sure to get lost in. Four Flies are always on point, but I limited myself to a fabulous 45 by Piero Umiliani, that featured two tracks from his Il Corpo score. I also invested in a couple of 7s on Bob Stanley’s new label, Measured Mile, which paired obscure pieces by people like Basil Kirchin and Alan Parker. Jason Boardman’s Before I Die also got in on the library act by pressing Falk & Klou’s terrific tribute, UFO, on a 12. 

My son and I listened to a load of hip hop on the school run, most of it Japanese, in an attempt to sugar the trip, and convince him to continue going. As a consequence I bought singles by Campanella, GuruConnect, and Gagle, and also looked for new western gear that he might be into. He begrudgingly gave the nod to the DJP remix of Biz Markie’s The Vapors and Chemistry Collective’s Mentally In Chemistry Thugged Out. 

If you wanted to visit the righteous, political roots of rap, well Dynamite Cuts reissued Last Poets’ essential E Plurius Unum. 

More hip hop came with the return of Revival Season on Heavenly Recordings. Their Chop, remixed by Inner Space Quartet, was a revelation, and I quickly hoarded everything by ISQ that I could find. It turned out that multi-instrumentalist “Brother” Lee Skelly, formerly of Discodor, was their mastermind, and his significant skills were also showcased on a mad, 19-track set called Casio City Rockers. Bert Hector was another modern funk outfit with playing and production chops that made them sound classic / vintage. Something exemplified on their Kraken 45 for Kenny Dope’s Kay-Dee. In a similar heavy psyche vein was a Ximeno bootleg that partnered Holzer’s Pure Love with Front Office’s Wow, both of which are blinding. 

Sam Don’s Just A Touch compilation, for Athens Of The North, was the big street soul reissue, but Gold In The Shade’s Over You, on Heels & Souls, was a smaller offering, in this forever fashionable  / collectable sub-genre, that struck a chord with me.  

Backatcha put out a brace of brilliant stuff, of which Rome Jefferies’ Good Love was the most “Balearic”. Dom Williams’ Miles Away delivered gospel from Howard Lemon, and Texan treasure in the shape of Ruth Waters’ Super Star. Soul Junction unearthed Jesse James covering Fred Neil. 

The big new release, hands down, without a doubt, was Jalen Ngonda’s Daptone debut, Come Around And Love Me. 

A few jazz favourites to follow…

TRACK-LIST

Part One
Piero Umiliani – Hard Times
Inner Space Quartet – Pool Phase
Smithstonian – Mississippi Mud
Bert Hector – The Kraken
Piero Umiliani – Chaser
Alan Parker & William Parrish – Main Chance
Falk & Klou – UFO
Biz Markie – The Vapors (DJP Remix)
Chemistry Collective – Mentally In Chemistry…
Inner Space Quartet – Medicine Bag
Inner Space Quartet – Holy Water
Front Office – Wow
Holzer – Pure Love
Brother Lee – Its All Around
Latin Blues Band – I`ll Be A Happy Man

Part Two
Gold In The Shade – Over You
Taffy – Passion
Kofi – Step By Step
Tony Troutman – Whats The Use
Jalen Ngonda – Come Around And Love Me
Rome Jefferies – Good Love
Toronados – Please Don’t Break
Willie Tee – Please Don’t Go
Cynthia Sheeler – I`ll Cry Over You
Hyla Parker – Joe
Marvin Gaye – I Wanna Be Where You Are
Jalen Ngonda – If You Don’t Want My Love
Jesse James – Everybodys Talkin At Me
Howard Lemon Singers – You Are Somebody
Bileo – You Can Win
Velvet Hammer – Happy