Just like Sade is the band fronted by singer Sade Adu, Luther was the band fronted by Luther Vandross. Unlike Sade, however, the recorded output of Luther has never made much of an impact. To be sure, Vandross's run as a solo artist starting in 1981 was massively successful, starting with the now-classic "Never Too Much." In the mid-'70s, however, he was a struggling singer possessed of incredible skill who had yet to find a breakout moment, despite making notable appearances on albums by Roberta Flack, Sister Sledge, Mandrill, and many others. The most renowned of his work as a backing vocalist was with David Bowie who, in seeking out soulful collaborators for Young Americans, found an iconic song ("Fascination" is a lightly rewritten version of Vandross's "Funky Music [Is A Part of Me]") and a fantastic voice. That song is reprised on this debut album from Vandross's short-lived group Luther, which was originally released in 1976 with a wildly incongruous cover that definitely made more than a few people think they were buying a heavy metal record. Luther featured some of Vandross's longtime collaborators (some of whom also appeared on Young Americans), and the performances are remarkable.

Produced by Quincy Jones, written by Jon Anderson and Vangelis. Many States Of Independence showcases a handful of this monumental track, featuring some of its most popular remixes on this special RSD release.

Dusty Fingers is the name of a series of compilation records of songs that are widely admired as breakbeats collected by Bronx DJ Danny Dann the Beat Mann. Some of the songs featured contain "open breaks" which are solo drum passages which enable DJs to easily transition into them. These are also attractive to producers, who loop or rearrange them to create new compositions. Following in the tradition of the Ultimate Breaks and Beats series, the Dusty Fingers records contain an eclectic range of musical styles: mainly funk and jazz, but also including soul, rock, disco, and pop. Many of the songs in the Dusty Fingers series have been sampled into new musical compositions, mainly by hip hop producers. Popular songs that sample songs from the Dusty Fingers series include "Guilty Conscience" by Eminem, "Find Your Wealth" by Nas, "Rowdy Rowdy" by 50 Cent, "Show Me What You Got" by Jay-Z, "Daydreamin'" by Lupe Fiasco, and "Dr. Carter" by Lil' Wayne.

"Analog Love" is Dabeull's first proper full-length album after several key releases, including "Intimate Fonk," "Fonk Delight," and the highly sought-after compilation, "InDaStudio." For Dabeull, analog production is his favorite playground as evidenced by this new 9-track album which was recorded using Michael Jackson's "Thriller" console. - 100% analog!

The second Giorgio Moroder collaboration of Sparks' career doesn't have quite the emphasis on Moroder trademarks compared to its predecessor; he has only two songwriting credits here, while the Mael brothers take most of them alone. Still, the breakout single "When I'm with You" and "Just Because You Love Me" have an ineffable disco stomp and the requisite cymbal slaps on the offbeat, while "Noisy Boys" and "Stereo" have an experimental, laddish feel that looks past disco into '80s synth-pop and new romantic. Though disco fans can feel safe with No. 1 in Heaven, those more interested in new wave would be well served to pick up Terminal Jive first.

Spanning 55 years and 45 songs, a 2CD collection to ratify Manchester’s claim to be Britain’s second – if not at times, first – musical city. From primal beat through promiscuous punk, high 80s disco/soul and pure baggy to proud and proper rock, the evidence is all here.

Collection of solo hits from the vocalist in Enigma & Arabesque. Sandra's solo recordings mix the atmospheric sounds of Enigma with the crisp, upbeat vibe of Europop. Outside of the U.S., she is musical royalty to millions of fans. Her albums appeal to fans of Dance Music, World Music and contemporary Pop. Although she is far more commercial than the Enigma recordings, she certainly will appeal to their fans as well. Features 18 tracks including 'Maria Magdalena', 'In The Heat Of The Night', 'Everlasting Love' and more.

The 1970s saw a plethora of great funk and jazz albums that for somewhat mystifying reasons have failed to be reissued. Sitting at home one night it occurred to me that we had better get a move on and get them out. With this in mind we are launching BGP Funk and Soul Classics: long out-of-print albums on CD featuring the very best mastering, great packaging and some nifty sleeve notes to let you know where the album fits into the scheme of things. Our first batch of releases come from the extensive catalogue of Fantasy Records and feature a host of albums that are sought after by collectors the world over.

Trailblazing instrumental synth pop experiments created to soundtrack Japan’s booming 1980s cartoon and comic industries. The brightly futuristic instrumentals on this collection reflect the mindset of composers and musicians who believed in a technological future where everything was possible. In the late 1980s Japan experienced a brief but heady period where societal changes combined with new-found wealth to open up a world of possibilities. A huge influx of cash - artificially created by slashed interest rates after an agreement with the US to weaken the dollar relative to the yen - resulted in the inflation of real estate and stock market at a rapid pace. While the economic bubble it created was unprecedented and impossible to sustain, for a while money was in plentiful supply.The musical genre City Pop reflected the aspirations of the country’s booming leisure class. Video games flourished with Nintendo's 1983 launch of their Family Computer (or FamiCom). Studio Ghibli was founded 1985 to later became one of the most famous and respected animation studios in the world, and Anime and Manga were established as major forms of entertainment for all generations of the Japanese public.

Digitally re-mastered and expanded edition of this 1977 album from the Soul great. New Horizon was largely considered a return to form for Hayes. In addition to changing labels, he brought his sound into the Disco era with mixes by the legendary Tom Moulton. 'Moonlight Lovin', the track that solidified the Disco audience's love for Ike, is featured here in the 10 minute original album version plus rare 16 minute long version as a bonus track. This true underground dance classic features Tom Moulton's mixing at it's very best. In addition, the album features a Disco update of the classic 'Stranger in Paradise', which made #16 on the Disco chart. The album reached #26 R&B and #78 Pop.

Fabiana Palladino announces full details of her hotly anticipated self-titled debut album. The UK vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer will release Fabiana Palladino on 5 April 2024 via Paul Institute / XL Recordings. Made in the wake of the end of a long relationship, the album is an intimate record that sees Fabiana Palladino confront complex questions about love, loneliness and normativity in relationships. The result is a 10-track full-length of shapeshifting sonics that draws inspiration from the big R&B, Soul, Pop and Disco studio productions of the 80s and 90s and filters them through a modern lens. Written and self-produced by Palladino, the album features performances from renowned musicians and close friends including Paul Institute co-founder Jai Paul, her father and legendary session bassist Pino Palladino, brother and Yussef Dayes bassist Rocco Palladino, renowned drummer Steve Ferrone and strings from Rob Moose.

British pop group that amalgamated soul, jazz, and funk with a Stevie Wonder sound-alike named Jason Kay as its frontman. A Collection includes: Emergency on Planet Earth (1993); The Return Of The Space Cowboy (1995); Travelling Without Moving (1997); Synkronized (1999); A Funk Odyssey (2001); Dynamite (2005); High Times: Singles 1992-2006 (2006); Rock Dust Light Star (2010).

Habibi Funk is happy to present a selection of works by Algerian-born, Amazigh artist Majid Soula. With synths, driving drums, prominent repetitive guitar lines, Majid’s music blends the best of Kabyle sounds, disco, highlife and groovy funk into something wholly unique. At the same time for Majid Soula music is a vessel for his political message.

Close is the sixth studio album by Kim Wilde, released in mid 1988. Produced by Ricky Wilde and Tony Swain, Close was the final album on which Marty Wilde had co-writer credits. The album is widely perceived by fans and critics (and Kim herself) as Wilde's most well-balanced, with many kinds of pop represented: dance, ballad, rock and midtempo.

The Very Best Of Andy Gibb honors the monumental worldwide success, achieved within just a few years, of one of the most celebrated recording artists and stage performers of his time. The collection’s 15 tracks include Gibb’s three Number One chart toppers, “I Just Want To Be Your Everything,” “Shadow Dancing,” and “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water.” Four more Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits are showcased: “An Everlasting Love,” “(Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away,” “I Can’t Help It” featuring Olivia Newton-John, and “Desire,” Gibb’s collaboration with his brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. All of the collection’s tracks are drawn from Andy Gibb’s three hit studio albums, 1977’s platinum-certified Flowing Rivers, 1978’s platinum-certified Shadow Dancing, and 1980’s gold-certified After Dark.