Funk & Soul

Billie Holiday is captured live at Storyville in Boston in 1951 and 1953. The discreet recordings capture Lady Day in prime emotive voice. On most selections she is accompanied by the Carl Drinkard Trio, but six others find her joined by Buster Harding’s Trio; the great tenor Stan Getz sits in on three of these numbers. Previously out of press for over 25 years, this historic recording has now been remastered and pressed on audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany.

 

Tracklist:

A1 I Cover The Waterfront
A2 Too Marvelous For Words
A3 I Love You Porgy
A4 Them There Eyes
A5 Willow Weep For Me
A6 I Only Have Eyes For You
A7 You Go To My Head
B1 He's Funny That Way
B2 Billie Blues
B3 Miss Brown To You
B4 Lover Come Back To Me
B5 Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
B6 You're Driving Me Crazy

The Chi-Lites’ third album, "(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People”, finds the group tapping into the social consciousness movement of the early ‘70s, presumably influenced by contemporaries like Sly & the Family Stone and fellow Chicagoan Curtis Mayfield. They had one of sweetest voices in soul music with Eugene Record, but their 1971 release showed a different side of the band, both in terms of lyrical content and production on tracks like "We Are Neighbors”. Ironically, the biggest single on the album was "Have You Seen Her?”, a sweet soul ballad which topped the R&B charts. "(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People” was the best album the Chi-Lites ever released, and it’s finally coming back to vinyl for the first time in decades. The music sounds better than ever on this 180gram audiophile-grade vinyl pressing, mastered from original analog tapes.

TRACKLISTING
A1 Yes I'm Ready (If I Don't Get To Go)
A2 We Are Neighbors
A3 I Want To Pay You Back (For Loving Me)
A4 Have You Seen Her
A5 (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People
B1 Love Uprising
B2 Troubles A' Comin'
B3 You Got Me Walkin'
B4 What Do I Wish For

Young, Tough and Terrible is the second and final album from The Lost Generation. The Chicago-based soul group featured vocalists Lowrell Simon, Fred Simon (Chi-Lites), Larry Brownlee, and Jesse Dean, and was only active for a few years in the 70s. Known for their powerful harmonies and forays into funk, the group was able to find a home with the legendary Brunswick Records. This reissue will be the first U.S. pressing in half a century, mastered for vinyl from the original tapes.

TRACKLIST:
A1 This is the Lost Generation (Vocal)
A2 Tired of Being Alone
A3 All in the Course of a Day
A4 You’ve Got to Crawl Before You Walk
A5 Sure is Funky
B1 The Young, Tough and the Terrible
B2 Paulette
B3 Thin Line Between Love and Hate
B4 One More Bridge to Cross
B5 This is the Lost Generation (Instrumental)

Album Release Date is July 21st 2023

Eramus Hall's 1980 debut album "Your Love Is My Desire" is among the most sought-after records of the modern soul era, coveted by DJs and record collectors alike, with rare copies of the original pressing selling for up to $900. The soul/funk group only recorded the one album for Detroit’s Westbound Records, home of funk heavyweights Funkadelic and Ohio Players, before moving to Capitol for their second and final LP in 1984. This long overdue reissue marks the third release in Westbound’s remaster series with Org Music. Working from the original master tapes at the iconic 54 Sound studio in Detroit, the recordings have been restored and remastered with care for the essential pressing of this masterpiece.

TRACKLIST
A1 Your Love Is My Desire
A2 She Shined A Light
A3 Feelin' Higher
A4 Think Positively
B1 Stuck In The Mudd
B2 Just Me 'N' You
B3 Funk Permit
B4 Super Funk
B5 Will You Love Me Tomorrow (As You Do Today)

Just six years into his career as a solo artist, with a dozen albums already under his belt, Jackie Wilson was reaching new peaks in 1963. He had already earned his nickname, Mr. Excitement, for his reputation as a master showman and a vocal virtuoso, boasting a four-octave range. It’s not surprising that Wilson’s take on holiday classics like "Silent Night”, "White Christmas”, and "O Little Town of Bethlehem” were well received, scoring 'Merry Christmas from Jackie Wilson’ a place at #6 on the charts, making it the highest charting album of Wilson's career. Previously out of print for decades, the album is finally back on vinyl, just in time for the holiday season. 

Tracklist:
A1 Silent Night
A2 White Christmas
A3 O Holy Night (Cantique De Noel)
A4 The First Noel
A5 Deck The Hall
A6 Silver Bells
B1 Joy To The World
B2 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
B3 Adeste Fideles
B4 I'll Be Home For Christmas
B5 O Little Town Of Bethlehem
B6 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

In 1971, after dropping “Fabulous” from their moniker, The Counts delivered their first full-length platter for Westbound. What’s Up Front That-Counts is indisputably one of the funkiest albums of all time. The conga-led grooves, impassioned vocals and strutting in-the-pocket arrangements are as infectious as they are groovy. This seminal, forward-thinking album is an indispensable soundtrack perfectly reflecting the decade that followed, and is one of the brightest jewels in the Westbound crown. Included in this release are 3 bonus tracks that were previously unissued.

Working with the original Westbound Records master tapes at the iconic 54 Sound studio in Detroit, these legendary recordings have been remastered by award winning engineer Dave Gardner with restoration and tape transfers by archival specialist Catherine Vericolli, and additional engineering assistance from in-house 54 Sound engineer Nick King.

Officially out November 10, 2023

TRACKLIST
A1 What's Up Front That-Counts
A2 Rhythm Changes
A3 Thinking Single
A4 Why Not Start All Over Again
B1 Pack Of Lies
B2 Bills
B3 Rhythm Changes Reprise*
B4 Shortsville*
B5 I Know Why*
*previously unissued

Gangway! Open the dance floor! This record is sure to get you on your feet. From Ike & Tina to Bettye LaVette, your Cuban heeled soles are sure to be worn through by the end of side B. This essential collection of rare northern soul tracks was curated from catalogs like Calla, Atco, Loma, and Jubilee. The tracks were remastered for vinyl at Infrasonic Mastering and pressed at Pallas in Germany, on a white, red, and blue swirl color vinyl.

Track List

Side A
A1 Feel Good All Over
A2 Don’t Forget About Me Baby
A3 With My Love and What You’ve Got
A4 Burning Fire
A5 Git It
A6 Never Let Me Go
A7 Tired of Being Nobody
A8 Coming Home To You Baby

Side B:
B1 I’m Through with Love
B2 Don’t You Even Care
B3 You’re Such a Sweet Thing
B4 That Ain’t Right
B5 What’s Gonna Happen to Me
B6 Across the Street
B7 Bella Dalena
B8 Good Lovin’

Denise LaSalle’s seminal debut LP for Westbound Records, released in 1972, introduced the world at large to a storming force in blues. At Westbound, Denise refined her Chicago Blues roots and recorded Trapped By A Thing Called Love, adding contemporary and soulful arrangements to her flawless songs. The result garnered huge hits, a massive fan base, and put Ms. LaSalle on track to being crowned “Queen Of The Blues.” It remains an undisputed classic of the genre. The album has been remastered by Dave Gardner for its first pressing in more half a century, as part of Org Music’s ongoing Westbound Records reissue series. 

The reissue is out everywhere January 17th, 2025.

Tracklist:
A1 Trapped By a Thing Called Love
A2 Now Run and Tell That
A3 Heartbreaker of the Year
A4 Good Goody Getter
A5 Catch Me If You Can
B1 Hung Up, Strung Out
B2 Do Me Right
B3 The Deeper I Go (The Better It Gets)
B4 If You Should Loose Me
B5 Keep It Coming
B6 It’s Too Late

Guitar virtuoso Dennis Coffey’s first LP for Westbound Records was released in 1975, and is a tour de force in funky guitar wizardry unlike anything else. While Coffey’s technical fireworks remain the centerpiece of the record, some of the rawer psychedelic elements of his earlier work are replaced by a slicker, more produced sound. This new style clearly lays the groundwork for Coffey’s transition, as the 70's progress, into a more commercial, disco-oriented sound on his own recordings, as well as on his writing and production work for other artists such as CJ and Co. This long overdue reissue, retitled Finger Pickin Good, was remastered by Dave Gardner and includes the previously unissued bonus track “What It Is It Ain’t”.

A1 ‘If You Can’t Dance To This You Got No Business Havin-Feet'
A2 Finger Lickin Good
A3 I’ve Got a Real Good Feeling
A4 Honky Tonk
A5 El Tigre
B1 Live Wire
B2 Some Like It Hot
B3 Fame
B4 Wild Child
B5 What It Is It Aint*

* Previously unissued bonus track

Pleasure is the 1972 record from Detroit funk pioneers the Ohio Players. Immediately returning to the studio after the initial success of their debut album, Pain, this would become the most influential album of their career. Massive chart success came with this record, propelled by the song "Funky Worm," which went on to become one of the most sampled songs in Hip Hop history.

Working with the original Westbound Records master tapes at the iconic 54 Sound studio in Detroit, these legendary recordings have been remastered by award winning engineer Dave Gardner with restoration and tape transfers by archival specialist Catherine Vericolli, and additional engineering assistance from in-house 54 Sound engineer Nick King.

The vinyl comes housed in a reverse-board printed gatefold jacket, complete with a fold-out poster of photographer Joel Brodsky's iconic cover photo. 

TRACKLIST
A1 Pleasure
A2 Laid It
A3 Pride And Vanity
A4 Walt's First Trip
B1 Varee Is Love
B2 Walked Away From You
B3 Paint Me
B4 Funky Worm
B5 Our Love Has Died

Higher and Higher is the 1967 album from "Mr. Excitement” himself, R&B pioneer Jackie Wilson. As one of the defining vocalists of the era, this record finds Wilson in peak form and features one of his biggest hits, “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.” This release is the latest edition in Org Music’s reissue series from the classic Brunswick Records catalog. Like the other release in the series, the album was mastered from original Brunswick tapes and pressed at Furnace Record Pressing.

TRACKLIST:
A1 (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
A2 I Don’t Need You Around
A3 I’ve Lost You
A4 Those Heartaches
A5 Soulville
B1 Open the Door to Your Heart
B2 I’m the One to Do It
B3 You Can Count on Me
B4 I Need Your Loving
B5 Somebody Up There Likes You
B6 When Will Our Day Come

Album Release Date is July 14th 2023

Eramus Hall was a soul/funk group from Detroit, whose debut “Your Love Is My Desire" became one of the most sought-after records of the modern soul era, coveted by DJs and record collectors alike. The group only recorded the one album for Westbound Records, home of funk heavyweights Funkadelic and Ohio Players, before moving to Capitol for their second and final album in 1984. After a definitive reissue of Eramus Hall's debut album, Org Music and Westbound Records have teamed up again to release a full LP worth of rare and previously unreleased tracks, including some of their earliest demos. Joel Martin, who produced the group’s output for Westbound, has overseen the mixing of the unearthed material, over four decades after he originally recorded them. The record will be pressed on color vinyl with a package that features never-before-seen photos and newly penned liner notes.

 

Tracklist:

A1 Determination
A2 Dance To Our Music
A3 Life Has Meaning
A4 Nice Smooth Easy
B1 Do The Rock
B2 Who’s Makin Love
B3 Mr. Softy
B4 Better Days

Originally released in 1969, Heart & Soul is a stunning compilation of hits by American blues musician Johnny Adams. The 11-track album, produced by Shelby Singleton, contains various songs recorded between 1962 and 1968. The unique blending of 1960's gospel, soul, pop, blues, funk, and country has lead critics to deem the collection as some of Adams' finest and most astonishing work.

A1 Georgia Morning Dew 3:25
A2 In A Moment Of Weakness 2:35
A3 Real Live Living Hurtin' Man 3:10
A4 Lonely Man 2:37
A5 I Won't Cry 2:17
A6 Release Me 2:46
B1 Proud Woman 2:40
B2 I Can't Be All Bad 3:04
B3 A Losing Battle 2:23
B4 Living On Your Love 1:45
B5 Reconsider Me 3:50

Album by Assemblage is one of the most obscure treasures of the Westbound Records archives. Released in 1971, the album features a more rock-oriented sonic palette than most in the famed funk label’s catalog (underscored by the cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction”), while maintaining the signature psychedelic soul sound the label became known for. The band featured many seasoned players from the Detroit scene, including Paul Kingery (who would later join Three Dog Night) and Robyn Robins (who would later join Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band). This reissue, the first pressing in over half a century, was remastered by Dave Gardner and includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks. It will be available everywhere June 14th.

TRACKLIST
A1 Satisfaction
A2 It’s Not Easy
A3 Dirty Gurty
B1 Drink Deep
B2 Lean On Me
B3 Everything Is Going To Be Alright
B4 Black And White
B5 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor*
B6 Love Saves All*

*Previously unreleased

Earth Creature by Boobie Knight & The Universal Lady is a vibrant and soulful album that encapsulates the essence of 1970s funk and soul. Originally released on Brunswick Records' subsidiary Dakar Records in 1974, the album features a dynamic fusion of groovy rhythms, horn sections, and Boobie Knight's charismatic vocals, driven by heavy psychedelic fuzz guitar. With its rich instrumentation and spirited performances, it stands as a testament to the funk era's enduring influence. Tracks from the record have been famously sampled by artists such as Outkast, N.W.A., and 50 Cent, among others. Previously out of print for decades, it has been remastered and pressed on both black and sunkissed color vinyl, complete with its iconic risqué cover artwork.

Tracklist:

A1 Feeling My Cheerios 
A2 Burn The Saturday Night Fever 
A3 April 
A4 Power Greater Than Man 
A5 Somebody Touch Me (In The Right Place) 
B1 Flaming Youth 
B2 Ain't Nobody Betta Dan You 
B3 A Woman Will Make You Love 
B4 The Lovemaniacs
B5 Earth Creature