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# 1
    • "obscure funky and soulful disco and boogie"
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Jazzman always seems to unearth those hidden gems that no one else can find! The UK label's latest, Soul Spectrum Records Vol. 1, turns its focus towards rare and obscure dancefloor soul from the late '70s and early '80s. Think deep boogie cuts and soulful disco. The label enlisted Ashley Beedle and Tom Noble to turn their well honed knives on two of the tracks that needed a little fine tuning, but other than that all the tracks a presented in uncut form. It's all compiled by the super dedicated DJ Fryer. Here's what he had to say about Soul Spectrum Records Vol. 1: The endless quest to discover lost interesting music from the past is something of a calling to many. Record collectors and DJs will go without food and spend all their wages to own a single piece of vinyl. Many will travel around the world to towns and cities you would never choose to visit. Happy spending nights in cheap hotels and days in musty old shops looking for that one lucky find, and it does happen, eventually, to all that make the effort. I make no claim to the discovery of any of these records contained here, but I nod my hat to those that did and will again in the future. I have let good as well as rare music be the narrative on this LP. There are some records here that are relatively affordable and I encourage you to go out and find them on original 45s, and play them. Records should be heard, not archived - keep the wonderful culture of playing 45s and 12s alive.CD version is 21 tracks in all. 2LP version is 16 tracks in all pressed on deluxe 180 gram double vinyl pressing with thick, glossy sleeve, includes bonus 7" reissue single: $8000 rated hyper-rarity, Fluorescent Smogg!

  • music label: Jazzman 2013
reviewed by Michu Meszaros 03/2013
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# 2
    • "deep disco cuts from one of the world's deepest diggers"
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Elite disco collector and Million Dollar Disco kingpin Al Kent goes for another round of super rare soul & disco on BBE with the third Disco Love compilation. Just like the previous volumes (and his MDD releases) this album focuses on those overlooked and hard-to-come by underground disco gems that only someone with the deepest of crates (or a big bankroll) will have to offer - and that someone is Al Kent! His affection for classic disco sounds definitely shows on this set of extra soulful disco cuts that range from uplifting dancefloor jams, gritty back alley recordings, and funky burners. He's even gone ahead and re-edited many of them, leaving only the juiciest tidbits to set your soul on fire. Take a listen to the party energy of "I Want To Be With You" by Gregory Andre & Two Plus Three, "Disco Music" by Sil Austin, the super soul of the Mighty Gents' "Mighty Gents," the uptempo groove of "Disco Fever (Round 3)" by Rhond Durand, or the feel-good vibes of "Human" by Neo Experience - it's obvious wonder why he's Dimitri From Paris and Joey Negro's favorite disco DJ, and why dudes like Kon, Rahaan, and Theo Parrish are always after his edits. The double CD version also includes a bonus CD featuring all the tracks blended together in one seamless mix by Al himself! 8 unmixed tracks on 2LP and 15 unmixed tracks on the CD total for the deep disco aficionados.

  • music label: BBE Disco 2013
reviewed by Joey Coco 02/2013
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# 3
    • "crucial reggae compilation"
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Soul Jazz digs into the Studio One vaults once again for another wicked compilation of reggae gems. Unlike previous compilations that focus on specific styles or eras, Studio One Ironsides offers the wide scope of the legendary reggae label. Here you get both classics AND rarities in a variety of styles ranging from roots, dub, early dancehall, ska, and rocksteady from the finest artists in the Studio One roster. Check the expertly curated selection fo tracks from Freddie McGregor, Prince Jazzbo, Lone Ranger, Marcia Griffiths, Alton Ellis, Johnny Osbourne, Cornel Campbell, Don Drummond, and many more. You really can't miss with this one! Oh and for those wondering about the title... "Studio One Ironsides refers back to a time in the 1960s and 1970s when Clement Dodd was at the height of his powers, releasing so much amazing music that Studio One had to invent new label names to trick radio DJs, wary of playing too much music from the legendary studio, into playing records. These creatively titled new label names included Ironsides, Money Disc, ND Records, BongoMan, Forward and more." Heavyweight double vinyl pressing in deluxe gatefold sleeve with extensive liner notes.

  • music label: Soul Jazz 2013
reviewed by Von Bee 02/2013
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# 4
    • "modern ambient + drone compiled"
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It's time once again to let go and decompress with Kompakt's annual ambient compilation. The long running Pop Ambient series never fails to rejuvenate worn and tired ears with a choice selection of contemporary drone, ambient, and experimental soundscapes of the beat-less variety. The 2013 edition features pieces from Michael Mayer, Mikkel Metail, Wolfgang Voigt, Leandro Fresco, Triola, and many others you probably haven't heard of. Mellow astral travel vibes for days, perfect for that introspective zone-out session. Keep it mellow. Comes in pic sleeve with included CD version. 10 tracks in all.

  • music label: Kompakt 2013
reviewed by TKB 02/2013
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# 5
    • "massive collection of rare drum breaks, previously vinyl-only"
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Digger/DJ supreme Paul Nice has gone ahead and collected all the rare breaks from his previously vinyl-only Drum Library series and put them on CD for the first time! This double disc set is a treasure trove for producers and break fanatics with over 100 drum loops prime for sampling or cutting to! The tracks come from every source imaginable and are looped up for a minute or 2, depending on the track. Styles vary from straight ahead boom baps to disco breaks and much more. "The ultimate drum connoisseur's compilation." Limited edition, recommended.

  • music label: Super Break Records 2009
reviewed by snackmaster 11/2011
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# 6
    • "house, techno + leftfield experiments from Detroit innovator"
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Detroit classic. Totally original. A trip. Some of the usual comments when it comes to any Theo Parrish / Sound Signature release - but this is one is even more so. This is the one of the few full lengths from the influential Detroit label, and you can bet it's a burner front to back. When the album was originally released back in 2007, it sold out everywhere before it actually made it into stores (ed.note: we've never even got it), so here's another chance to snag it. You get all his angles here - from the soulful to offbeat programming to minimal (Chicago) techno, and everything with Theo's special touch. These are some of my favorites picks at a first listen - "They Say, Soul Control, Galactic Ancestors, The Rink," and "Synthetic Flemm" - and if these are touching your g-spot you'll probably love the whole thing. Lots of material to soak in over 2 CDs. Well recommended.

  • music label: Sound Signature 2007
reviewed by Bogman
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# 7
    • "spanish jazz from the 60s and 70s"
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Throughout the 1960s and 1970s jazz did not enjoy widespread popularity in Spain. There was a scarcity of releases dedicated to the genre due in large part to the desires of Spanish record labels. However, the remain a handful of jazz releases from this period that deserve to be heard by a wider audience. The musicians involved helped pave the way for jazz in Spain and the recordings can hold their own in the world of jazz. Fetén brings together a selection of recordings made in Spain between 1961 and 1974. The selected tracks were original released on vinyl that has become impossible to find. These are unique recordings spanning modal jazz, hard bop and even avant-garde jazz by Spanish musicians such as Mantequilla, Juan Carlos Calderón, Ricard Roda and Vlady Bas, as well as by international jazzmen like Dusko Goykovich, Lou Bennett and Tino Contreras. The compilation is a result of years of searches in market stalls and record fairs, trades with other collectors, phone calls to second-hand dealers, countless hours of online research, and a lot of dusty fingers. Aside from being a collection of rare and hard to find tracks, Fetén provides a window into a lost moment in the history of jazz in Spain.

  • music label: Vampisoul 2012
reviewed by Señor Sueño Latino 01/2013
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# 8
    • "early 80's dancehall reggae compiled"
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Kingston Sounds comes through with a wicked selection of dancehall cuts to mash up the place! Listen Up Dancehall Originals compiles the original dancehall sound of Jamaica from the early 80's (pre-digital) from reggae icons like Johnny Clarke, Don Carlos, Michael Palmer, Cornell Campbell, Dennis Brown, Linval Thompson, and many others. This is the O.G. sound that grew out of the dances in Jamaica and would eventually set the foundation for the dancehall styles to come. 14 tracks in all with 2 bonus cuts on the CD version.

  • music label: Kingston Sounds 2012
reviewed by Natty Prof 01/2013
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# 9
    • "rare disco and boogie cuts compiled"
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Essential purchase for the deep disco and boogie heads. If you remember the first volume of Under The Influence compiled by DJ Red Greg, then I don't even have to sell you on this one 'cause you already know how killer these comps are! For volume 2, they've enlisted Paul Phillips, another elite level crate digger, to put together another batch of rare disco and boogie gems. Phillips hooks it up here in a major way - 24 tracks to be exact, of choice disco 12"s in their full length original form. It doesn't get much better than this! Check tracks from Ron Richardson, Midnight Energy, Special Touch, Pike, State Department, NY Disco Orchestra, Krisp, The Underground Band, and many, many others. Even if you could find the original 12"s, gathering all these tracks would cost a small fortune, so get with the double CD comp. Recommended.

  • music label: Z Records 2012
reviewed by snackmaster 12/2012
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# 10
    • "gems from female country pioneers compiled"
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The alway on-point Soul Jazz label continues to dig and collect the best in overlooked and under-appreciated genres with this collection of Country (yes, country) gems from pioneering female artists. The Country Soul Sisters compilation charts the rise of female singers within the genre from the years of 1952 to 1978. Everyone know Dolly Parton and probably Nancy Sinatra too, but have you heard of Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Bobbie Gentry and Tammy Wynette? Unless you are a country fan, probably not. This comp focuses on songs that are far removed from the traditional conservative image of Country music and actually deal with serious and pressing topics such as female empowerment, bigotry, workplace sexual harassment, and abortion. Not exactly songs about dogs and old pick up trucks that's for sure! From the label: "Forget outlaw country or alt. country, male dominance of country music meant that female country singers were the original outsiders – simply by nature of being themselves. What is so equally fascinating is how these artists managed to negotiate a space for themselves that was acceptable to the general male conservative hierarchies whilst at the same time remaining true to themselves as both artists and women for their largely female public." Double CD version comes with 68 page full color book filled with extensive liner notes profiling the rise of female artists in country with artist profiles, interviews and archive photography. Limited edition double LP version comes in beautiful gatefold sleeve with full sleeve notes on thick, loud import vinyl.

  • music label: Soul Jazz 2012
reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 10/2012
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# 11
    • "the twin's acid house alias compiled"
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There seems to be more than one side to Aphex Twin's back catalog. There's his early ambient work, his more drum n bass inspired material and a host of other styles that he has explored. With his Caustic Window alias he churned out 4 EPs in the early 90s that have inspired a love hate relationship amongst even his most ardent fans. Not that he necessarily sticks to one particular style under the Caustic Window moniker. Caustic Window Compilation collects the majority of the tracks from the 4 EPs and arranges them in a way that makes them easy to consume. While you generally might want to call what's here acid house, the tunes stretch the boundaries of that definition about as far as they can go. What you have here ranges from the quirky analog noodling of "Pigeon Street" to the proto-gabber-porn of "Fantasia." There is plenty to chew on between those two extremes though and that is what makes the Caustic Window Compilation so compelling.

  • Music Label: Rephlex 1998/2011
reviewed by Michu Meszaros 10/2012
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# 12
    • "outstanding collection of vintage soul gems"
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An absolutely stunning anthology of beat-heavy soul jams and love ballads from Now-Again, the same folks that brought you that awesome Soul Cal comp! Loving On The Flipside contains some of the most incredible baby-making jams this here reviewer has ever heard. The songs contained here, mostly overlooked funk 45 B-sides released between the years of 1966 and 1977, are a potent combination of sweet soul and deep funk - a style of music the label lovingly refers to as "sweet funk." It is the dichotomy of heavy funk rhythms with sweet, soulful harmonies that are at the root of the sweet funk genre, a combo heard through and through on every selection featured on the release. Obviously it is no easy task to find jams of this caliber, so Now-Again actually reached out to New York's Truth & Soul to help find more sweet funk swooners and beat-heavy ballads to round out the release. Thanks to their help, Loving On The Flipside features 21 sweet funk gems from the likes of the Darling Dears, The Equatics, Black Velvet, Black Exotics, Eunice Collins, Symphonic Four, Rhythm Machine, and many others. The double LP version is presented in deluxe gatefold packaging (similar to the Soul Cal comp) with 80 page, full color, perfect-bound book featuring extensive liner notes highlighting the artists featured on the compilation. CD version includes the book as well. Highly recommended.

  • music label: Now-Again 2012
reviewed by TKB 10/2012
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# 13
    • "sought-after edits compiled"
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Fourth installment of the popular Ron Hardy Edits series on CD! Heads should know the deal, but here's a primer for those who don't know: Ron Hardy is a hugely influential DJ, up there with Levan and Mancuso, who helped usher in the era of House music at the Muzic Box in Chicago (where he was resident from '82-'86) and the current re-edit craze. His sets are the stuff of legend as he would mix everything from disco, soul, new wave, EBM, and proto-house music together in a way that would make everybody lose it on the floor - often times playing his own edits off a Reel-To-Reel player! Many consider those edits as secret weapons for the dance floor and recently a few have been popping up on bootleg 12"s, but this is the first time a whole bunch of them have been compiled on CD. For volume 4 you are treated to a selection of prime cuts and special edits of classics from Mass Production ("Welcome To Our World" as sampled by Moodymann), Jamie Principle ("Baby Wants To Ride"), Frankie Goes To Hollywood ("Relax"), Jack Frost ("Dap Me"), Rolling Stones ("Undercover Of the Night"), Skatt Brothers ("Walk The Night"), and Sylvester ("I Need You") and more. Recommended.

  • Music Label: Muzic Box Classics 2012
reviewed by snackmaster 09/2012
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# 14
    • "quality new school downtempo comp"
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Bastard Jazz does one up for the downtempo heads! Tempo Dreams is a true return to the downtempo sound for the esteemed Brooklyn-based label. The compilation is curated by Detroit's Tall Black Guy (who has been killing it lately on BSTRD BOOTS with his reworks of Fela and Al Green), who picks 11 of his favorite up and coming producers that are just under the radar and offer a fresh take on the downtempo style. You probably haven't heard of most of these youngins (which is a good thing), but you can trust that they're coming correct on the beats! Check the heady bumps on Teru's "Time To Reinvent," or Chief's "Scanner Revolution," while Tensei and Jeriko Jackson get jazzy on "Space Colony" and "Only Just" respectively. The whole thing is quality through and through with entries from Buscrates, FloydCheung, Doc Illingsworth, Ta-Ku, Evil Needle, MonkeyRobot, Shecky's Jazzy Tofu, and Tall Black Guy himself. Anyone who used to get down to Mo Wax, Ninja Tune, etc. will appreciate these new school takes on the style. Recommended.

  • music label: Bastard Jazz 2012
reviewed by Von Bee 06/2012
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# 15
    • "sought-after edits of dance classics"
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Third installment of the popular Ron Hardy Edit comp on CD! Heads should know the deal, but here's a primer for those who don't know: Ron Hardy is a hugely influential DJ, up there with Levan and Mancuso, who helped usher in the era of House music at the Muzic Box in Chicago (where he was resident from '82-'86) and the current re-edit craze. His sets are the stuff of legend as he would mix everything from disco, soul, new wave, EBM, and proto-house music together in a way that would make everybody lose it on the floor - often times playing his own edits off a Reel-To-Reel player! Many consider those edits as secret weapons for the dance floor and recently a few have been popping up on bootleg 12"s, but this is the first time a whole bunch of them have been compiled on CD. Here you are treated to special edits of classics from New Order ("5 8 6"), The Nightwriters ("Let The Music Use You"), Mr. Fingers ("Stars"), Liaisons Dangereuses ("Los Niños del Parque"), Pam Todd & Love Exchange ("Let's Get Together"), Loose Joints ("Pop Your Funk"), and James Brown ("Body Heat") amongst others. Recommended.

  • Music Label: Muzic Box Classics 2012
reviewed by snackmaster 06/2012
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# 16
    • "sought-after edits of dance classics"
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Second installment of the popular Ron Hardy Edit comp on CD! Heads should know the deal, but here's a primer for those who don't know: Ron Hardy is a hugely influential DJ, up there with Levan and Mancuso, who helped usher in the era of House music at the Muzic Box in Chicago (where he was resident from '82-'86) and the current re-edit craze. His sets are the stuff of legend as he would mix everything from disco, soul, new wave, EBM, and proto-house music together in a way that would make everybody lose it on the floor - often times playing his own edits off a Reel-To-Reel player! Many consider those edits as secret weapons for the dance floor and recently a few have been popping up on bootleg 12"s, but this is the first time a whole bunch of them have been compiled on CD. Here you get some of his most potent edits along with classic dancefloor killers from Ragtyme Featuring Byron Stingily ("I Can't Stay Away"), Circuit ("Release The Tension"), Gene Hunt ("Living In A Land"), a reverse version of Loose Joints' "Is It All Over My Face," plus a bunch of other tracks we can't put our finger on. Recommended.

  • Music Label: Muzic Box Classics 2012
reviewed by snackmaster 06/2012
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# 17
    • "lo-fi soul gems w/ early synths and drum machines"
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The curatorial wizardry of Dante Carfagna releases true magic on Personal Space: Electronic Soul 1974 - 1984, their new collection of incredible finds, gems of unheard, private-issue soul from the 70s and 80s, all with an emphasis on synthesizer, sequencer, and drum machine usage. Setting itself far above most recent reissues, itǃs a compilation that explores the creation of an identity amidst what was a new age of sounds. Unique atmospheres, moods, emotions, are pioneered by circuitry, a prime example being the Makers' "Don't Challenge Me". Lulling the listener into its call-and-response of synthesized composition and sultry vocals, the track has been melting ears around here. Jeff Phelps, Key & Cleary, Starship Commander Woo Woo's "Master Starship" (basically, THE jam) further highlight these uncharted territories of emotional weirdness - a wholly new kind of soul music prime for introspection, mind-wandering and thoughtfulness (thoughtlessness). Highly recommended, a must-have for anyone whoǃs been digging anything from Stones Throw, Now Again Records, etc. Also of note, awesome packaging is just always a plus, with a beyond choice photo from NASA gracing the comp's cover.

  • Music Label: Chocolate Industries 2012
reviewed by A. Tomorrow 05/2012
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# 18
    • "rare soul gems compiled + deluxe book"
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This has been on heavy rotation in the Lab office ever since we got the promo a few months ago. It's one of those albums you can put on and know that every song is gonna be awesome, no fillers or skippers... basically, it rules. The album compiles the best releases from the Soul Cal label, which means you get the best rare soul and funky soulful disco cuts circa 1971 to 1982. You can bet that each and every song on here is dripping with that vintage soul goodness - the kind that puts a smile on your face and makes it seem like the sun is shining on you (even when the weather sucks outside). Check out some of the office favorites like Record Player's "Free Your Mind," Rhthym Machine's "Put A Smile On Time," Mixed Feeling's "Sha La La," Luther Davis' "You Can Be A Star," or just click on any of the samples - they're all that good! This deluxe release (both 2LP and CD) also comes with an 80 page full color companion book filled with rare photos and details each bands history. Essential purchase for the soul enthusiast. Highly Recommended.

  • music label: Soul Cal 2012
reviewed by snackmaster 04/2012
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# 19
    • "boogie & disco gems, mixed & unmixed"
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Another super useful comp from the good peoples at BBE. This time they tap Johnny D of Henry Street Music fame for an excellent selection of (mostly) early 80's floor fillers and groovers. The selection here rides the line between disco, boogie, italo/NRG and proto-house with the common theme being that they will get people feeling good and dancing the night away. Check the sound on classics from Mahogany, Klein & MBO, Cerrone and Ashford & Simpson, right next to more obscure cuts and hard to find dubs from Lafleur, Sass, Kasso, B Beat Girls, Gaucho and more. Also includes a superb mixed version from Johnny D himself! Recommended.

  • music label: BBE 2012
reviewed by snackmaster 03/2012
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# 20
    • "lost disco heaters compiled and re-edited"
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BOO-YAO! BBE has been teaming up with Al Kent over the past few years to put out some mind blowing compilations of lost disco heaters, but this one takes the cake! For their latest collaboration, the label has compiled all 5 volumes(!) of Kent's Disco Demands series into one massive 5 CD set (and you know if anyone has enough rare disco gems to fill 5 CDs worth of material, it's Al Kent). Along with impossible to find original cuts the compilation features a ton of exclusive re-edits that Kent has made a name for himself with. Here's what he had to say about the release: "The Disco Demands series started sometime in the early 2000s - I couldn't give you an exact year because it didn't feel like a big deal, so I never noted it. I simply wanted to put out a compilation of some records I really liked and maybe make a little of the money back I was spending on them. Buy some food and stuff. There's always been Disco comps around of course but there was rarely anything that strayed too far from the standards; the same songs kept appearing over and over again, or the comps would feature records you could pick up anywhere for little money. I've never seen the point in that. I gave up judging a record on its value or rarity a long time ago but surely there's more to disco than Exodus, Martin Circus, Mass Production and all those Salsoul, West End and bloody Prelude records. So it was a nice surprise to find that there were other people out there who thought the same way. Volume 1 was pretty straightforward - just some nice records, with the only edit being an instrumental of "Disco Socks"; a strange, thinly veiled reference to the disco sucks movement. Then on Volume 2 I included a few of my edits and introduced the cover up concept to the disco world. That caused a bit of controversy, which of course I loved. And so it continued for five volumes. What we have here then is the full series, give or take one or two cuts, all remastered, many re-re-edited, with lots of nice naked pictures to boot." 45 tracks spread over 5 CDs and housed in individual sleeves with sexy cover art. Must-have release for the disco heads, RECOMMENDED.

  • music label: bbe
reviewed by The Voice 01/2012
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# 21
    • "label comp of choice new disco"
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The After Dark CDR was originally only available on Glass Candy's '07 west coast tour (only 100 pressed!). Due to popular demand (and the fact that this shit is REALLY REALLY good), the guys over at Italian's Do It Better repressed the joint and now you too can have a piece of this modern disco hotness. This isn't a mixtape either (though it kinda looks like one) - it actually contains full unreleased tracks and demo versions from soon-to-be-huge new disco/new italo artists Glass Candy, Mirage, Chromatics, Farah, and Professor Genius. Just check some of these sounds: The sweet and soulful disco grooves of Glass Candy with "Rolling Down The Hills," their take on the Kraftwerk classic "Computer Love," and Belle Epoque's "Miss Broadway," the bittersweet italo vibes of the Chromatics with "Hands In The Dark" and "In The City," and Mirage's spaced-out italo vocoder action on "Lady Operator" and "Lake Of Dreams," and the avant slow motion disco sickness that is Farah's "Dancing Girls." 14 tracks total, no throw aways. Do not miss this if you are a fan of the disco-italo sound (you'll regret it - trust me). Recommended.

  • music label: Italians Do It Better / 2007
reviewed by snackmaster 08/2007
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# 22
    • "unmixed compilation from Diplo's infamous label"
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First ever "best of" comp from Mad Decent! The label has come a long way from the underground Philly scene where it started to becoming the global taste makers they are today and The Best of Mad Decent Vol. 1 chronicles the rise to infamy, plus throws in some new material as well. Lab heads should all be familiar, but for those that have been living under a rock for the past few years, this comp will clue you in on what's going on with Diplo's notorious label. The wide range of styles Mad Decent has been known to bring to the surface is all here - from dubstep, rock, tropical bass, bmore, dancehall, cumbia and more - and it bangs! Check the massive new remixes of label classics like Bosco Delrey's "Wild One (Reset! Remix)," Maluca's "El Tigeraso (Sticky K Remix)," unreleased gems like Boy 8-Bit's "House On A Hill," and Dillon Francis' "Beautician 2.0," in your face bangers like Rusko's "Everyday (Netsky Remix)," plus cumbia dancehall hybirds from the head honco himself (Diplo's "Horsey"). 18 tracks hand selected by Diplo from the Mad Decent catalog. Recommended.

  • music label: Mad Decent
reviewed by Von Bee 10/2011
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# 23
    • "minimal and tech house comp"
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Originally released in 2005, Spectral Sound Vol.1 features notable tech house/minimal techno tunes from Spectral Sound, Ghostly International's dancefloor-oriented sublabel. The compilation covers the whole of the label's existence (it started in 2000), and it consists of exclusives and classics (all appearing on CD for the first time) by artists like Matthew Dear, Osborne, Peter Grummich, and James T. Cotton. "Dog Days" from Dear's Leave Luck to Heaven combines elements of minimal, house, and disco, while "Juice" is a previously unreleased track that offers a different take on some of the sounds he toyed with in the aforementioned album. "T-Y-O-C Painkillers" by Cotton is a analog sound-drenched, driving number with a crazy buildup while Osborne's "Bout Ready To Jak" is a raw, intense track that's sure to deliver on the dancefloor.  Contains a 33-track mix done by Ryan Elliot.

  • music label: Spectral Sound / 2005
reviewed by NI 09/2010
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