Browse by Label: DUSTY GROOVE

Artist:	LA CLAVE
Title:	La Clave
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3003CD

"A lost bit of Latin funk from the early '70s -- the one and only album ever recorded by this hip San Francisco combo. The group's heavy on percussion, keyboards, and wah-wah guitar -- and they riff along mightily with a sound that's somewhere between Chicano soul and blacksploitation soundtrack funk. As an added bonus, Lalo Schifrin also had some mysterious role in the session -- playing a bit of keyboards and supposedly helping on arrangements. The album's a rare treasure in the Verve Records catalog -- easily one of the funkiest dates ever recorded for the label and unavailable for decades."

Artist:	JOLLY, PETE
Title:	Seasons
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3004CD

"First time on CD for this treasure from A&M Records! Mad keyboards galore -- electric piano, Hammond, and more -- all played in a unique all-improvised session from the legendary Pete Jolly. The set is unlike anything else that Pete ever recorded -- and is in a space somewhere between CTI funk of the early '70s and some of Herbie Hancock's more experimental electric jams. Paul Humphrey handles the drums, alongside percussion from Milt Holland and Emil Richards -- and the album's filled with incredible mellow funk tracks that have a completely original flavor. Very much in tune with the current Fender Rhodes revival -- and a record that was decades ahead of its time!"

Artist:	CHAKACHAS
Title:	Jungle Fever
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3006CD

"First time on CD for the tripped-out Latin classic from the '70s -- a huge global hit for the Belgian group Chakachas, and used in countless soundtracks and hip-hop samples over the years. Jungle Fever is probably best remembered for its title hit -- a mad bit of funk with pounding drums, heavy breaks, and some of the sexiest mutterings ever set to wax. But the rest of the album is equally great, too -- and offers a slightly different take on Latin music than you might get from a U.S. group at the time. Rhythms are bold, horn parts are odd, and the vocals sometimes come across more like an instrument than a singer -- snapped in the groove with a real sense of tightness that goes way beyond language. Euro funk maestro Nico Gomez penned a few tunes for the set -- and the album's an instant party from the get-go!"

Artist:	DELLS, THE
Title:	The Dells Sing Dionne Warwick's Greatest Hits
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3007CD

"Chess Records takes on the music of Burt Bacharach, with amazing results -- thanks to deep soul vocals from The Dells and impeccable production from the legendary Charles Stepney! The album's a tremendous meeting of minds, as The Dells really transform Bacharach's amazing compositions -- giving them depth and feeling in ways that are quite different from any other renditions of the songs. The arrangements by Stepney are amazing too -- on a par with his famous work with Minnie Ripperton, Rotary Connection, and Ramsey Lewis -- as majestic as Burt Bacharach might have wanted, but with a very different approach to rhythm, timing, and overall conception. Instrumentation is by Stepney, Phil Upchurch, and members of The Pharaohs -- plus a full string section as well. Another baroque soul classic from the glory days of the Chicago soul scene!"

Artist:	AXELROD, DAVID
Title:	Seriously Deep
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3008CD

"First time on CD for one of the rarest albums ever from funky maestro David Axelrod -- the producer known for his work with The Electric Prunes on Reprise, and a string of late '60s classics on Capitol Records! This mid '70s set for Polydor has Axelrod working in a jazz funk mode -- much more electric than before, with heavy keyboards from Crusader Joe Sample, thundering drums from Ndugu Chancler, reeds from Jerome Richardson and Ernie Watts, vibes from Gary Coleman, and a nice undercurrent of strings as well. There's a subtle dose of fusion in the mix, but one that's never too jamming -- and Axelrod always maintains his trademark sense of space and timing -- turning the simplest musical measure into the kind of groove that holds up well into the 21st century. The album's a favorite of sample hounds and crate diggers, and is incredibly hard to find on vinyl."

Artist:	COSBY, BILL
Title:	Badfoot Brown & The Bunions Bradford Funeral & Marching Band
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3010CD

"No funny jokes here, as the album's an all-instrumental jam from the mind of Bill Cosby -- one of the few sets ever cut by his short-lived Bunions Bradford Band! The record's quite different than anything you might expect from Cosby -- quite dark at times, with a really freaked-out, messed-up quality that might almost be described as psychedelic funk. Instrumentation is heavily electric -- inspired by Miles Davis, according to the notes -- with some amazingly heavy keyboards from Bill Cosby himself. The groove stretches out massively on the album's two long tracks -- filled with loads of funky riffs, heavy drums, and some wicked edits in the studio. Other musicians aren't listed, but we're betting they include Stu Gardner and some of the LA players who worked on other Cosby vocal albums. And although this one might work in the comedy racks, it's got greater appeal to fans of funky jazz and heavy soul. The record's awash in hip '70s instrumental styles -- and feels more like some mad blacksploitation soundtrack or funk jam session gone wild than Bill's regular comedy albums. A crate-diggers treasure, reissued for the first time ever!"

Artist:	ALEXANDRIA, LOREZ
Title:	For Swingers Only
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3011CD

"First time on CD for this '60s vocal jazz treasure! Darkly brilliant vocals from the legendary Lorez Alexandria -- heard here on a rare small combo session from Chess Records -- only issued briefly in 1963, but a collector's treasure for years to come. The For Swingers Only title really gets it right, as there's a subtle swing to most of the tunes, even the ballads -- a way of hitting the rhythms that's quite different than standard jazz vocals, and which really gets at the genius of Alexandria's sound. Instrumentation includes flute and tenor sax, piano from John Young, and nice use of guitar in the rhythm section -- which really helps further the groove of the set. Although the group's a small one, they make the album one of the boldest, most soul-drenched albums that Lorez ever cut -- even more so than her better-known albums for Impulse or King Records!"

Artist:	PATE, JOHNNY
Title:	Outrageous
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3012CD

"Mad funk from the legendary Johnny Pate -- a 1970 instrumental session that rivals his soundtracks for blacksploitation classics Shaft In Africa and Brother On The Run! The album's one of the few that Johnny ever did as a leader, and it's a great batch of instrumentals that cooks with a very funky sound -- a unique groove that's halfway between soundtrack funk and instrumental soul -- all with a hip early '70s sort of groove. The album draws strongly from Pate's time on the Chicago scene of the '60s (with the Impressions and other soul artists) -- but it also refocuses his energy with a hipper sound for the '70s -- one that's a lot heavier on the bottom, thanks to drums from the mighty Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie. Other instrumentation includes funky flute from Jerome Richardson and organ from Richard Tee -- plus some freaky, fuzzy guitar from Joe Beck. First time ever on CD -- and lovingly remastered with brilliant sound!"

Artist:	WILSON, REUBEN
Title:	Got To Get Your Own
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3013CD

"A standout funk session from organist Reuben Wilson -- a Hammond player best known for his Blue Note albums of the early '70s, but who steps out wonderfully here in a rare date for Chess Records. The setting is quite unique -- a mixture of Wilson's soaring organ lines with some heavy funk backings from maestro Brad Baker. There's a fair bit of soul in the record too -- vocals that bring an extra 'umph' to some of the grooves, but still leave plenty of room for instrumental solos. Players include Bernard Purdie on drums, Richard Tee on keyboards, and Alfred 'Pee Wee' Ellis on saxes -- and the album includes the classic rare groove tracks 'Tight Money' and 'Got To Get Your Own.' First time on CD anywhere in the world, and a much-loved funky classic!"

Artist:	BEN, JORGE
Title:	Jorge Ben (1969)
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3014CD

"A samba soul classic from Jorge Ben -- quite possibly his greatest album ever, and a true treasure through and through! The tunes explode with an amazing sense of energy -- driven by Jorge's great guitar and vocals, plus key percussive efforts from the Trio Mocoto -- whose sounds here are simply amazing, and create a unique undercurrent of funk. This is the album that set a whole generation on fire, and it's probably still one of the most-copied moments of Ben's long career. In contrast to the cerebral output of the Tropicalia camp in 1969, this album's much more visceral and personal -- yet no less revolutionary! First time on CD in the US -- and first time on CD in the world in over 15 years. Includes the classics 'Take It Easy My Brother Charles,' 'Pais Tropical,' and 'Que Pena.'"

Artist:	SHAW QUINTET, GENE
Title:	Break Through
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3015CD

"Rare genius from trumpeter Gene Shaw -- a player who worked famously with Charles Mingus (under the name Clarence Shaw) on the albums Tijuana Moods and East Coasting -- then disappeared from the scene after having a famous fight with his leader. After a few years of silence, Shaw resurfaced in Chicago with this brilliant debut as a leader for Argo Records -- a wonderful album that's filled with as much soul and emotion as his sessions with Mingus. The group have a slightly modern take on hardbop -- often straight and hard-swinging, but with plenty of room for the players to really stretch out with a great deal of expression. Shaw's trumpet tone is amazing -- right up there with Lee Morgan or Kenny Dorham at their Blue Note best -- and the rest of the group is wonderful too -- especially tenorist Sherman Morrison, whose work here is a real discovery. Chicago dates like this never got their due back in the day -- and this CD reissue finally brings Shaw's post-Mingus work into focus."

Artist:	SHADES OF BROWN
Title:	S.O.B.
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3016CD

"A lost nugget from the Chicago soul scene, and one of the rarest '70s albums on Chess! The album's filled with great tracks in a range of soul styles -- sweet, funky, and Northern Soul -- all wrapped together with a tightness that rivals The Dells or Temptations at their best, and topped with harmony vocals that are simply mindblowing. Producer Bobby Miller really helps the group find their groove -- and arrangements by Richard Evans and Charles Stepney tie the whole thing together beautifully. All tracks are originals, and completely fresh -- the kind of lost soul tunes you'd normally find only by digging through a pile of rare 45s. Sampled famously by Tribe Called Quest and others -- and reissued here for the first time ever!"

Artist:	MCDUFF, BROTHER JACK
Title:	Gin and Orange
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3017CD

"First time on CD for a funky late '60s classic from Hammond player Jack McDuff -- one of his few albums done for Chess Records, and a mighty session that mixes up both nightclub and studio material. Arranger Richard Evans is on deck to help ensure the grooves are tight -- and the album's produced by Lew Futterman, who handled some of Jack's funkiest albums from this time. Hammond organ dominates the tunes, but there's also a strong emphasis on some rhythms too -- killer cuts filled with fast-riffing guitar, bumping bass, and heavy percussion. Decades before Snoop Dogg would hit the scene, Brother Jack already knew that 'Gin & Juice' was one mighty combination."

Artist:	WYLIE, RICHARD 'POPCORN'
Title:	Extrasensory Perception
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3018CD

"A soulful set that's as majestic as the image on the cover -- a crowning achievement from Detroit soul legend Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie! Popcorn worked heavily in the Motor City scene of the '60s, but this album is quite different from his earlier material -- a real symphony of soul, put together by the mighty McKinley Jackson, the force behind Lamont Dozier's amazing '70s records for ABC. The style here is similar to Dozier on ABC -- full, rich, and soaringly soulful -- a wonderful transformation of an older Detroit groove, served up with some key clubby touches. Most of the songs are co-written by the trio of Dozier, Wylie, and Jackson -- and the cast of musicians includes Dennis Coffey on guitar and Emil Richards on percussion. Never on CD before, and only issued on LP at a very limited level back in the '70s -- a rare soul treasure, presented here with beautifully remastered sound!"

Artist:	MCNEIR, RONNIE
Title:	Ronnie McNeir
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3020CD

"The first album from Detroit soul genius Ronnie McNeir -- a '70s mellow masterpiece all the way through! The record's an incredible blend of electric piano, soulful vocals, and flowing rhythms -- an amazing accomplishment for the young Ronnie, and a record that we'd rank right up there with '70s classics by Stevie Wonder, Leroy Hutson, and Donny Hathaway. Bits of dialogue are interspersed with some of the tracks, making the set a really unified full-length effort -- not just a batch of groovers and ballads, but a well-conceived album that's quite unique. McNeir's vocals are wonderful -- powerful, yet very personal, too -- and his keyboard work really supports the album's righteous vibe. Hardly a hit in 1972, the record's ripe for rediscovery these many decades later -- years ahead of its time, and finally getting its due! First time on CD -- and never reissued on vinyl."

Artist:	METROS, THE
Title:	Sweetest One
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3021CD

"All killer, no filler -- an incredible soul album from The Metros -- a Detroit group who rivaled the best that Motown had to offer in the '60s! These guys are amazing -- incredible harmonies, razorsharp timing, and a depth of soul that really raises the bar for the Motor City scene. This album's their one and only full length effort, and it's a doozy all the way through -- filled with original tunes and a few key covers -- all produced to perfection by the legendary Pied Piper team, who were also known for their work with The Hesitations and Freddy Butler. The grooves are fantastic -- played by a lineup that includes Jack Ashford on vibes and percussion, Joe Hunter on piano, and Dave Hamilton on guitar -- all Detroit studio legends, making wonderful music for this set! The album's a legendary Northern Soul set -- and original copies of the singles fetch hundreds on Ebay. First time on CD, and first reissue anywhere in the world -- remastered from original tapes, presented with full liner notes and vintage photos too."

Artist:	NITE-LITERS, THE
Title:	A-Nal-Y-Sis
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3022CD

"The fifth, final and funkiest album ever from The Nite-Liters -- an amazing batch of tracks that rivals the best work by The JBs or The Meters! The Nite-Liters were the instrumental core of Harvey Fuqua's New Birth soul collective for RCA -- but they also stood strongly on their own, and were easily one of the hippest acts to ever record for the label in the '70s. Each cut feels like a lost funky 45 -- stepping out with heavy keyboards, choppy guitar, monstrous drums and sharp-edged horns that really make the record cook. The New Birth help out on the record, and production is by legendary soul maestro Harvey Fuqua. Reissue features fully remastered sound and liner notes from Rob Sevier of Numero Group -- and the album's a funky treasure that's long overdue for CD release. Reissued on CD for the first time ever!"

Artist:	PRINCE LASHA
Title:	Insight
Label:	DUSTY GROOVE
Format:	CD
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	DGA 3023CD

"Lost genius from Prince Lasha -- a Texas-born saxophonist who was a youthful contemporary of Ornette Coleman, and also recorded famously with Sonny Simmons, Eric Dolphy, and Elvin Jones. This album's a rare UK-only date for CBS -- recorded while Lasha was living abroad in the mid-60s, and it features a very unusual lineup that includes the amazing Stan Tracey -- England's greatest modern pianist of the postwar years -- plus some beautiful jazz-based use of harp, ala Dorothy Ashby -- which makes for a very exotic sound. There's also two bassists in the group -- another wonderful touch -- and Lasha plays both plastic alto and wooden flute, both of which create some really unique phrasing. The record's got a beautiful balance of modern conception and soulful expression -- and it's presented here for the first time ever to an American audience! First-time ever on CD -- and first-time release outside of the original UK vinyl pressing in 1966."

Previous Page Index of Labels Next Page