If you are into funk and soul reissues, consider this one essential. 13 years in the making, Now-Again’s expansive box-set chronicling the 60′s-70′s output of Little Rock, Arkansas’ True Soul Records has finally been released on vinyl. It’s exciting that such an important label is receiving the retrospective treatment for the very first time, leaves [...]

To help celebrate their 15th anniversary, Stones Throw started a new series of live recordings for vinyl release. The records from the first event have now been released, courtesy of Mayer Hawthorne & The Country and Rick, respectively. Vinyl-only and minimally packaged, these shows are bursting with authentic soul and funk passion. You’ve gotta love [...]

Lost in the shuffle between eight and ten, the ninth entry in the Madlib Medicine Show series has finally shown its face. “Channel 85 Presents Nittyville” is a straightforward collaborative rap album from Madlib and Frank Nitty. There are some guests here and there, but those two pretty much run the show on this one. [...]

I can’t imagine that you’ve somehow avoided reading or hearing about this record yet, it is absolutely everywhere. With his self-titled album, James Blake has neatly inserted the glitchy dubstep sound he’s known for into a set of achingly-sparse singer/songwriter ballads. Largely driven by a keyboard and Blake’s pitch-bent voice, this new direction should be [...]

If you don’t know by now, Chicago’s Numero Group is one of the best reissue labels running. They’ve got two new vinyl releases available, both well worth your attention. Willie Wright’s “Telling The Truth” is an interesting journey through the mind of a doo-wop/soul prodigy from the city who moved to Nantucket in 1976 to [...]

In the ever-expanding psychedelic soul scene, Bilal is a serious force to be reckoned with.  He’s been fucked around by major labels over the years, but now his new album in almost a decade, “Airtight’s Revenge”, is finally out on Plug Research.  Exploring the same cavernous, syrup-sipped R&B lands as someone like Erykah Badu, this [...]

The kind souls over at Underwater Peoples sure know how to pick their underground rock and roll to release, shit is constantly amazing.  They have two new ones up for preorder, and both keep the bar set high.  “Extended Play” is the new 12″ EP from Spectrals, the solo output of the UK’s Louis Jones.  [...]

Few things get us more excited than amazing, obscure funk reissues from Stones Throw sub-label, Now-Again.  The Equatics’ “Doin It!!!” is a funk/soul masterpiece, originally recorded in 1972 by a bunch of high school kids.  The LP comes housed in a heavy-duty tip-on jacket with extensive liner notes by Egon.  All this for a mere [...]

This is definitely the biggest project the always-ambitious Numero Group has ever taken on, and that’s saying alot.  The Syl Johnson “Complete Mythology” Box Set contains 6 LPs, 4 CDs, and a 52 page book, all for $75.  Plus, if you order now, you’ll get a bonus 7″ and signed contact sheet.  This is the ultimate package [...]

Stones Throw just dropped this beast of an album from Orange County’s Aloe Blacc in deluxe vinyl form.  “Good Things” is significantly better than anything Mr. Blacc has done before, hanging right in there with all modern soul this side of Daptone.  In fact, between this and Mayer Hawthorne, Stones Throw are becoming serious soul [...]