Home

Johnny Bristol - Do it to My Mind
More popularly known for ‘hang on in there baby’ but anyone who delves just that bit deeper will be in for a real treat. This is a particularly impressive arrangement, with a very accomplished string section.

Rose Royce - Love me Right Now
Now how many Rose Royce compilations are their out there? But they’ve all got the same old stuff from the same old era! Don’t get me wrong, Wishing on a Star/Carwash etc. are commendable tunes, but just check out this number, how was it missed?

Love Unlimited - If you want me say it Check this out! It’s on the ‘Love is Back’ album and contains the most masterful bass and guitar work that your likely to hear to on a track of this genre anywhere. And just what could compliment it more than the lullaby vocals of the awe inspiring trio that is Love Unlimited.

Brothers Gilmore - I Feel a Song
Not always a fan of talking at the beginning of a track, but this works. Wicked little intro before the song, then it just washes over you with that sexy lead line. Serious foot tapper this one….

The Meters - Be My Lady
Now I like my funk, but these normally churn out some of the funkiest stuff you’ll ever hear (and yes that includes the JB’s!). However this is what they can do when they step it down a notch or two, and the results speak for themselves.

Earth Wind & Fire - Devotion (Live)
This is one of them goosebumps on the back of your neck tunes… right from the very beginning with an appreciative audience in the background, to the last notes, this is definitely one of their finest moments in my opinion. The fact that they manage to get a quality sound as good as this live, leaves no doubt to the wealth of the talent that we know and love them for.

Marcus Miller - Much too Much
The title explains it all! Not only is this the man who brought us bass lines to some of Vandross’ finest moments, but also an artist in his own right. This song and it’s arguably over sampled bass line contain the final ingredients to that laid back summer feeling.

Booker T Jones - The Best of You 
This is more popularly recognised via Keni Thomas. However, forget the Green Onion days, this is a far hard cry from the MG’s I tell thee! You may have heard someone say before that every song should paint a picture, well this is the Venus de Milo, and as far as beautiful music goes, in a nutshell, this is it….Classic.

Breakwater - Say you love me girl Another tune that seems to have become popular over more recent years, and it does make you wonder if some of these songs are just ahead of their time. Always generates a good response, so maybe it’s time that this rare groove masterpiece gains more attention? 

Keni Burke - One Minute More 
Always been one of the most under rated vocalists (and bass players) in the soul world as far as I ‘m concerned. Check this, particularly if you heard ‘Risin to the Top’ and enjoyed it…

Veda - What it’s All About 
People must’ve been walking around with ear muffs on when this was released, superb arrangements and soulful vocal combine to show what it really IS all about

Timothy Wilson - It’s Love Baby
 One of them songs which you love as soon as it starts and is so infectious, you’ll be tapping something at the end of it, that’s for sure!

Beau Williams - Give Me Up 
Another vocalist sorely unsung. Should definitely tug at the heart strings of anyone who’s been in limbo. Proving once again that no one does love songs like soul artists.

SOS Band - Take Your Time (Do it Right) This is one of them ones that just makes you wanna dance so much, you just don’t know what to do with yourself, particularly special vocal too.

Jewel Bass - Let Your Love Rain Down  On Me 
Worth spinning just for one of the sweetest little intro’s you’re likely to hear, very nice  bass work too

Flowers - For Real 
Very little known about this group, but ticks all the right boxes, seriously strong string arrangements, under pinned by a haunting lead line, fantastic!

Heath Bros - Dreamin 
Whilst everyone talks about ‘Let’s get it on’ for it’s sexual connotations, this is a tune which says it all just with a saxophone. About as raunchy as it gets….

Paris - I Choose You 
Everytime this has been played to one of my compadre’s, always draws a smile. Outstanding vocal performance, where’s the rest of their material?….

Yasuko Agawa - LA Nights 
This won’t be ‘One that got away’ for long by my reckoning, hearing more and more about this one lately, and let’s be honest, any song that makes you feel superbad while strutting through LAX has got to be on this list.

Dont forget to check out my top ten page here

Ever heard a soul tune and thought "Wow, why on Earth haven’t I heard this before?"

Well, here are some of them hidden masterpieces that make you just wonder why they wasn’t massive when they were released…..

The Mary Jane Girls - Musical Love 
There are certain songs that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you need to just stop and listen, this is most undoubtedly one of them. From the beginning to end this is what I’d call a mood song so sit back, relax and let the Mary Jane Girls do their thing. As much as you may have enjoyed ‘All night long’ that’s just a one night stand compared to this masterpiece.

Jackie Moore - If 
Some songs just sound ‘BIG’, well no exception here people. You have probably heard ‘This Time Baby’ infact, there’s not a lot this soul queen has turned her hand to that doesn’t sound like there’s a whole orchestra behind her. Love these tracks though, and there’s nothing like this euphoric mix of strings and horns to keep you interested.

Ashford & Simpson - It Seems to Hang On (live)
You know a group are worth their salt when they sound as good live (if not better) than they do in the studio. Just listen to the emotion in this track! A lovely intro with it’s delicate piano and string arrangement, and then the20bass drops and it means business, backed up by some great guitar work. This how it should sound when a band is firing on all cylinders. 

David Ruffin - I Miss You
There’s not too much I can say about this man that hasn’t been said by someone else already, however, just incase you missed it, this is one of his finest moments. Listen to how he takes his time and does it right with this slow expressive vocal performance. You can actually feel his pain, that is until the female vocal relents and speaks soothingly about taking him back, I like your style David!

Patrice Rushen - Haven’t You Heard
Haven’t YOU heard this?!! You need to, and I mean that most sincerely. There’s so much charisma to this lady’s voice, and if some of the sweetest sounding vocals ain’t quite doing it for you, then how could anyone ignore her accomplished keyboard work. Not just a pretty face, right Patrice? ;-)

Mike & Brenda Sutton - Don’t Hold Back
Now just where did these guys come from? Well let’s put it this way, if you’re discovered by Stevie Wonder, you can’t be too shabby. Really nice eighties soul feel to this one, and if you like this, then check their other tracks out , there’s plenty more where this came from.

Windy City - Hey It’s Over
Really nice intro to this track, f ollowed by a large sounding vocal arrangement, I just love the bass too! Really accomplished performance from a group who brought us some quality anthems, I feel that it is definitely about time this got a bit more air play.

Eddie Kendricks - Intimate 
Friends If you need to be laying back and relaxing, it really doesn’t get much better, this’ll be the olive in anyone’s Martini Uber cool groove with the most praise worthy Mr Kendricks providing his usual angelic tones as lead vocal. This has been sampled a lot, so don’t be surprised if you recognise this one.

Chic - Sao Paulo
In my mind some of the greatest talents ever to pick up electrical stringed instruments lay right here within this band. They always sound as if they’re not even close to breaking a sweat, and this track is no different. Effortless performance which sounds just as sophisticated as their name. You’ve heard their popular hits, why not try something different?…

MFSB - Mysteries of the World
This is a track which doesn’t even get started until approx. 2minutes, and then it just drops into a superb bass line which will have you dancing quicker than you could say “Two shots of Sambucca please.” Instrumental songs aren’t always to everyone’s cup of cha, but how could you taint such a performance from Philadelphia’s finest?

Jean Carn - Bet your Lucky Star
Starts with a bass line that’s got you grinning from ear to ear after only a few bars, an outstanding track from an outstanding artist. If you’ve heard Was That all it Was etc. try this on for size.