Released in 2012 by the premier soul and disco reissue label Harmless, Philadelphia International Classics: The Tom Moulton Remixes is an monumental 4CD anthology celebrating the golden age of Gamble & Huff's legendary Philadelphia International Records (PIR) through the lens of mix master Tom Moulton. Recognized worldwide as the father of the disco mix and inventor of the 12-inch single, Moulton revolutionized 1970s dance music by extending grooves, isolating breakdown sections, and emphasizing lush orchestral and percussion tracks. Across 31 meticulously extended mixes spanning over four hours, this collection gathers seminal PIR treasures by soul and disco royalty—including The O'Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, MFSB, The Three Degrees, The Trammps, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Jean Carn, and The Jones Girls. From iconic anthems like "Love Train," "The Love I Lost," "TSOP," and "Don't Leave Me This Way" to rare dancefloor gems like Jean Carn's "My Love Don't Come Easy" and The Jones Girls' "Nights Over Egypt," this set remains an indispensable cornerstone for soul, funk, and classic disco archivists.

Get Up, Give It Up, and Turn It Loose: James Brown and His Bands Deliver Electrifying Performances on the Funky Sex Machine, Ranked Among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone. Monster 1970 Double Album Presented in Audiophile Sound for the First Time: Mobile Fidelity’s Numbered-Edition Hybrid SACD Plays with Explosive Dynamics and Vibrant Clarity.

Released in 1999 on the UK imprint Ranch Life, Backtracks is a fascinating archival compilation uncovering early studio sessions, rare B-sides, and pre-stardom productions associated with funk mastermind Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) and his formative musical orbit. The collection highlights Stone's genius as a composer, arranger, and producer prior to and during the rise of Sly & The Family Stone. Highlights include rare early R&B and soul grooves like "It Takes All Kinds," "Remember Who You Are," and "Back On The Right Track," alongside raw, danceable rhythm tracks such as "Swim," "Honest," "Every Dog Has His Day," and the two-part instrumental organ funk showcase "Buttermilk Pt. 1 & 2." An essential release for funk, soul, and R&B collectors seeking the roots of Bay Area psychedelic soul and Sly Stone's pioneering production style.

While the disco vibe on some of these tunes is a bit cheesy, there are several outstanding performances by Taj and his International Rhythm Band. Indeed, "Little Brown Dog" catches Taj in one of his transcendental live moments when he gets so down in the groove you never want him to stop. The quality of this recording is the result of the Direct To Disc recording process. This compact disc was digitally mastered from the original master lacquer cut at the recording session, capturing the complete and unedited musical performance.

Released in 2009 on Amsterdam's Hippo Records, Ghana Funk From The 70's is an exceptional archival compilation capturing the electrifying fusion of African rhythms and Western funk that swept post-independence Ghana during the 1970s. Drawn directly from the historic vaults of Essiebons Music and Professor John Collins' Bokoor Studio, the twelve-track collection showcases legendary Ghanian bandleaders and ensembles including C.K. Mann, Ebo Taylor, Rob, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Cutlass Dance Band, and Apagya Show Band. Heavily influenced by James Brown's polyrhythmic funk and Jimi Hendrix's psychedelic guitar work, these tracks seamlessly fuse traditional Akan percussion, soaring brass charts, hypnotic organ riffs, and wah-wah guitar licks with infectious highlife and Afrobeat grooves. Standout highlights include Rob's raw funk anthem Read The Bible, C.K. Mann's sprawling Okuan Tsentsen Awar, Ebo Taylor's brass-heavy Amponsah, and an unreleased recording by Amartey Hedzoleh titled Dza Hunu Tso. Complete with authoritative liner notes written by West African music scholar John Collins, Ghana Funk From The 70's stands as an essential, high-energy compilation for collectors of rare African funk, Afrobeat, and tropical vintage grooves.

Originally issued in New York in 1968 and reissued in 2009 by Sonboy Records, Black And Beautiful… Soul And Madness is an ultra-rare landmark recording conceived and organized by radical Black poet, playwright, and activist LeRoi Jones (later known as Amiri Baraka). Standing alongside the influential proto-rap and spoken-word movements of The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron, this powerful cultural document bridges corner-style street harmonies, raw rhythm and blues, deep funk rhythms, and militant Black Power poetry. Released on Baraka's short-lived independent Jihad label, the album captures a distinct intersection of musical and political expression. Spanning thirty-seven minutes across nine tracks, pieces such as Beautiful Black Women, (Black And Beautiful) Miss Natural Soul, Mishap (So Much Soul), and Fight combine soulful vocal arrangements and acoustic percussion with urgent, uncompromising spoken word. Blending spiritual chants, streetwise doo-wop textures, and revolutionary political verse, Black And Beautiful… Soul And Madness stands as a historic artifact of the late 1960s Black Arts Movement, highly prized by collectors of rare soul, radical poetry, and African American oral history.

One of the unsung heroes of 1970s soul, Willie Hutch was never the big name he deserved to be. The smooth singer/composer had a few major and moderate hits, but commercially, he didn't make it to the level of Marvin Gaye, Ronald Isley, and Curtis Mayfield (all of whom he inspires comparisons to). Released in late 1998, The Very Best of Willie Hutch spans 1972-1982 and reminds us how engaging a singer he was in his heyday. Hutch could get funky when he wanted to, and he does so with splendid results on "Get Ready for the Get Down" (a number 24 R&B hit), "Brothers Gonna Work It Out," and the theme from the 1973 blaxploitation film Foxy Brown. But for the most part, Hutch made his mark as a romantic crooner. It is Hutch's smooth, romantic side that prevails on "Sunshine Lady," "I Choose You," "What You Gonna Do After the Party," and his inspired makeover of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were." Appropriately, the CD opens with Hutch's biggest hit: the perky, feel-good anthem "Love Power," which went to number nine on the R&B singles charts. Full of gems that were recorded during Hutch's peak years, this CD is essential listening for lovers of 1970s soul.

Grammy-winning artist Lenny Kravitz is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his fourth studio album Circus with a new digital deluxe edition of the landmark record.

Released in 2008 on the legendary Milan-based funk imprint Record Kicks, Street Food Mobile is a vibrant, groove-laden compilation that captures the fiery essence of modern deep funk, sister soul, and retro-flavored jazz funk. Handpicked to represent the global underground groove scene, the album features an impressive roster of contemporary funk revivalists and soul outfits delivering raw instrumentation, heavy drum breaks, and infectious basslines. Highlights include the soulful, vintage-flavored vocal stylings of Diplomats Of Solid Sounds on Come In My Kitchen, the gritty horn-fueled energy of Baby Charles on Treading Water, and Hammond organ-driven cinematic grooves from The Link Quartet. The collection seamlessly blends organic analog funk with modern broken beat and club-friendly remixes, as demonstrated by Diesler's dancefloor-ready overhaul of Unity's Escape. From breezy lounge-jazz textures to hard-hitting vintage soul, each of the ten selections brings a distinct flavor while maintaining a tight, high-energy momentum throughout forty-one minutes of music. Perfectly curated for DJs, record collectors, and casual listeners alike, Street Food Mobile stands as an essential snapshot of the mid-2000s funk and soul scene, showcasing Record Kicks' undeniable talent for discovering top-tier groove music.

Released in 1980 on Motown Records, Skylarkin' is a smooth and infectious jazz-fusion milestone from the legendary saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. Serving as a flawless bridge between late 1970s jazz-funk grooves and the emerging smooth jazz movement of the 1980s, the album highlights Washington's effortless virtuosity across soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, as well as flute and analog synthesizers. Backed by a legendary rhythm section comprising bassist Marcus Miller, drummer Idris Muhammad, pianist Richard Tee, guitarist Eric Gale, and percussionist Ralph MacDonald, the performances crackle with laid-back sophistication and tight, danceable rhythms. Across six expansive tracks, Washington delivers warm, expressive melodies and soulful improvisations, blending horn arrangements with subtle synthesizer textures and brass flourishes. Highlights include the opening groove of Easy Loving You, the vibrant rhythm of Bright Moments, and a brilliantly smooth interpretation of Michael Jackson's hit I Can't Help It. Packed with rich arrangements, immaculate production, and exceptional ensemble chemistry, Skylarkin' remains a quintessential release in Grover Washington, Jr.'s celebrated catalog, essential for lovers of classic soul-jazz, smooth funk, and late-70s fusion.

Released in 1984 (and reissued on CD in Japan in 1990 by Warner Bros.), Apollonia 6 is the sole self-titled studio album by the Prince-formed electro-funk vocal trio. Conceived as the follow-up to Vanity 6 after lead singer Vanity's departure, the group featured Apollonia Kotero alongside Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie. Arranged, produced, and largely performed by Prince with backing from members of The Revolution and Sheila E., the album remains a quintessential artifact of the 1980s Minneapolis sound. Highlights include the iconic hit single "Sex Shooter," featured in the motion picture Purple Rain, alongside "Blue Limousine" and "A Million Miles (I Love You)."