Westbound Records

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

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

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

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)

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