Labelle – Nightbirds (1974) [2015, Audio Fidelity Remastered, CD-Layer + Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Labelle - Nightbirds (1974) [2015, Audio Fidelity Remastered, CD-Layer + Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Labelle – Nightbirds (1974) [2015, Audio Fidelity Remastered, CD-Layer + Hi-Res SACD Rip]
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz | Stereo & Multichannel
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 364 MB (CD-Layer) + 2.72 GB (SACD ISO) + 1.32 GB (SACD FLAC Mch) + 726 MB (SACD FLAC Stereo) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Audio Fidelity | Austria | Cat#: AFZ5 196 | Genre: R&B

The finest of Labelle’s original albums, Nightbirds was recorded in New Orleans with funkmeister Allen Toussaint handling the production chores and, one assumes, members of the Meters taking care of the session work. Worth the price of admission for the Bob Crewe-written “Lady Marmalade” alone, the album veers between the strutting New Orleans, horn-laden singles and more mainstream pop material Continue reading “Labelle – Nightbirds (1974) [2015, Audio Fidelity Remastered, CD-Layer + Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

Sam Cooke – Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964 (2003) [Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Sam Cooke - Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964 (2003) [Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Sam Cooke – Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964 (2003) [Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 3.35 GB (ISO) + 1.35 GB (FLAC) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: ABKCO | EU | Cat#: 9807446 | Genre: Soul

Some 46 years after his first pop hit, and 39 years after his death, comes only the second attempt at a comprehensive Sam Cooke collection. Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964 eclipses RCA’s early-’80s The Man and His Music, going it better in running time but losing some important recordings — “That’s Heaven to Me” and “Soothe Me,” arguably one of Cooke’s most important songs — in the process of summing up his career. Continue reading “Sam Cooke – Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964 (2003) [Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

Sam Cooke – Keep Movin’ On (2001) {Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip}

Sam Cooke - Keep Movin' On (2001) {Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip}

Sam Cooke – Keep Movin’ On (2001) {Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip}
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 2.53 GB (ISO) + 1.15 GB (FLAC) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: ABKCO | EU | Cat#: 0602498077061 | Genre: Soul

This 23-song rarities compilation stands in Sam Cooke’s output roughly where the four posthumous LPs released by Otis Redding stand in his catalog, with the major difference that Cooke’s work included far fewer leftovers and sides that were justified simply by being available — he seemed to throw a special effort into almost everything that ever recorded, and that goes double for this disc’s content, which encompasses the final year of his recording career. Continue reading “Sam Cooke – Keep Movin’ On (2001) {Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip}”

Sam Cooke – Tribute To The Lady (1959) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Sam Cooke - Tribute To The Lady (1959) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Sam Cooke – Tribute To The Lady (1959) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 2.12 GB (ISO) + 563 MB (FLAC) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: ABKCO | EU | Cat#: 0602498074459 | Genre: R&B

Tribute to the Lady is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released in 1959. It was recorded in tribute to jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, who died later that year. The backing band is the René Hall Orchestra. Continue reading “Sam Cooke – Tribute To The Lady (1959) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

Sam Cooke – Ain’t That Good News (1964) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Sam Cooke - Ain't That Good News (1964) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Sam Cooke – Ain’t That Good News (1964) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.35 GB (ISO) + 625 MB (FLAC) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: ABKCO | EU | Cat#: 0602498077078 | Genre: Soul

The last of his studio albums released in his lifetime, Sam Cooke’s Ain’t That Good News offers a lot of superb material, pointing in several directions that, alas, were to go largely unexplored. The central number is, of course, the earth-shattering “A Change Is Gonna Come,” with its soaring gospel sound and the most elaborate production of any song in Cooke’s output. Continue reading “Sam Cooke – Ain’t That Good News (1964) [2003, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

Otis Redding – Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965) [2016, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Otis Redding - Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965) [2016, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Otis Redding – Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965) [2016, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.35 GB (ISO) + 631 MB (FLAC) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Analogue Productions | USA | Cat#: CAPP 095 SA | Genre: R&B, Soul

Otis Redding’s third album, and his first fully realized album, presents his talent unfettered, his direction clear, and his confidence emboldened, with fully half the songs representing a reach that extended his musical grasp. More than a quarter of this album is given over to Redding’s versions of songs by Sam Cooke, his idol, who had died the previous December, and all three are worth owning and hearing. Continue reading “Otis Redding – Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965) [2016, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

Diana Ross – All The Great Hits (1981) [2018, Reissue, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Diana Ross - All The Great Hits (1981) [2018, Reissue, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Diana Ross – All The Great Hits (1981) [2018, Reissue, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 2.70 GB (ISO) + 1.30 GB (FLAC) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Motown | Japan | Cat#: 5384122 | Genre: R&B, Adult Contemporary

Diana Ross is certainly a diva of goddess-like proportions. Whether joined by the Supremes, or out on her own, her voice is unmistakable and powerful, plus she possesses the uncanny ability to take songs penned by others and make them very much her own — to imbibe them with her very soul. Continue reading “Diana Ross – All The Great Hits (1981) [2018, Reissue, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

Amy Winehouse – At The BBC (2012) [CD + DVD]

Amy Winehouse - At The BBC (2012) [CD + DVD]

Amy Winehouse – At The BBC (2012) [CD + DVD]
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log
DVD | NTSC 16:9 (720×480) VBR | LPCM (2.0)
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 764 MB (CD+Scans) + 3.70 GB (DVD) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Island Records Group | EU | Cat#: 372 197 3 | Genre: R&B, Pop

Amy Winehouse didn’t leave much behind in the vaults, and with her studio recordings already collected on 2011’s Lioness: Hidden Treasures, the only thing left was Amy Winehouse at the BBC, a deluxe set rounding up everything the singer cut for any of the BBC’s programs. This winds up as more of a video set than a CD one, as she had more appearances on television Continue reading “Amy Winehouse – At The BBC (2012) [CD + DVD]”

Marvin Gaye – The Marvin Gaye Collection (2004) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Marvin Gaye - The Marvin Gaye Collection (2004) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Marvin Gaye – The Marvin Gaye Collection (2004) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO @1bit/2.8224MHz, DSD64 | FLAC Tracks @24bit/88.2kHz | Stereo & Multichannel | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 2.23 GB (ISO) + 1.94 GB (FLAC Multichannel) + 740 MB (FLAC Stereo) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Motown | USA | Cat#: B0003502-36 | Genre: R&B, Soul

The high-end audio format war (DTS vs. DVD Audio vs. Super Audio CD) still didn’t have a clear winner in 2004, so to ensure there’s some Marvin Gaye to pump through your expensive tube amps, Universal issued The Marvin Gaye Collection in a Hybrid Super Audio CD. There’s a confusing history behind the collection, so get your flowcharts out. Originally this set was released in 1997 as Forever Yours in a DTS-only mix (you couldn’t play it without a DTS decoder) that brought the “Legendary Surround Re-Mixes” to life Continue reading “Marvin Gaye – The Marvin Gaye Collection (2004) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

George Benson – Breezin’ (1976) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

George Benson - Breezin' (1976) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

George Benson – Breezin’ (1976)
[1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Vinyl Rip | Hi-Res / FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz | CD-Quality / FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Full Scans Included
Total Size: 895 MB (Hi-Res) + 314 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan on JVC | Cat#: MFSL 1-011 | Genre: Jazz Funk
Half-speed Mastered

All of a sudden, George Benson became a pop superstar with this album, thanks to its least representative track. Most of Breezin’ is a softer-focused variation of Benson’s R&B/jazz-flavored CTI work, his guitar as assured and fluid as ever with Claus Ogerman providing the suave orchestral backdrops and his crack then-working band (including Ronnie Foster on keyboards and sparkplug Phil Upchurch on rhythm guitar) pumping up the funk element. Continue reading “George Benson – Breezin’ (1976) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

Quincy Jones – Ultimate Collection (2002) {Hi-Res SACD Rip}

Quincy Jones - Ultimate Collection (2002) {Hi-Res SACD Rip}

Quincy Jones – Ultimate Collection (2002) {Hi-Res SACD Rip}
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 3.04 GB (ISO) + 1.36 GB (FLAC) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Hip-O Records | USA | Cat#: 314 583 565-2 | Genre: Jazz, R&B

In 1974, Quincy Jones, who already had a wide range of musical credits behind him, opted to enter the R&B mainstream by hiring vocalists and overseeing recordings in a commercial vein released under his name. The first of them was Body Heat, which went gold, and Jones followed with a series of records including 1981’s million-selling The Dude and the 1990 Album of the Year Grammy-winner Back on the Block. Continue reading “Quincy Jones – Ultimate Collection (2002) {Hi-Res SACD Rip}”

Various Artists – Funk: The Essential Collection (2009) [3CD-Set]

Various Artists - Funk: The Essential Collection (2009) [3CD Set]

Various Artists – Funk: The Essential Collection (2009) [3CD-Set]
EAC Rip | 3xCD | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.31 GB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Union Square Music | UK | Cat#: INTROTCD45 | Genre: R&B, Soul, Funk

009 three CD collection. How do you like your Funk, y’all? Streetwise, southern fried or paaarty? You’ll find them all here as this collection of original rare grooves brings you Curtis Mayfield, the Meters, Funkadelic, Bobby Womack and many other true funky legends. Sure to satisfy, this is funky perfection on plastic! Includes informative notes on all songs featured. 60 tracks. Continue reading “Various Artists – Funk: The Essential Collection (2009) [3CD-Set]”

Various Artists – Kool & The Gang ‎- The Hits: Reloaded (2004) [Special Edition]

Various Artists - Kool & The Gang ‎- The Hits: Reloaded (2004) [Special Edition]

Various Artists – Kool & The Gang ‎- The Hits: Reloaded (2004) [Special Edition]
EAC Rip | 2xCD | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 838 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Edel Records | Germany | Cat#: 0150832ERE | Genre: Soul, Funk , Disco

Featuring 28 ‘Reloaded’ versions of Kool & the Gang classics with contributions from Angie Stone, Redman, Blu Cantrell, Jamiroquai, Lisa Stansfield, Atomic Kitten, Youssou N’Dour & more. Continue reading “Various Artists – Kool & The Gang ‎- The Hits: Reloaded (2004) [Special Edition]”

The Hues Corporation – Rockin’ Soul & Love Corporation (2018) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

The Hues Corporation - Rockin' Soul & Love Corporation (2018) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

The Hues Corporation – Rockin’ Soul & Love Corporation (2018) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz | Stereo & Multichannel (4.0 Quad)
Hybrid SACD | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 3.05 GB (ISO) + 2.47 GB (FLAC Mch) + 1.31 GB (FLAC Stereo) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Vocalion | Austria | Cat#: CDSML 8539 | Genre: Disco, Soul
Continue reading “The Hues Corporation – Rockin’ Soul & Love Corporation (2018) [Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”