Prince – Welcome 2 America (2021) [Official Digital Release]

Prince - Welcome 2 America (2021) [Official Digital Release]

Prince – Welcome 2 America (2021) [Official Digital Release]
FLAC Tracks / 16bit / 44.1kHz
Total Size: 329 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Legacy | Genre: Funk

Recorded in the spring of 2010 and then mysteriously abandoned by Prince before its release, the statement album Welcome 2 America documents Prince’s concerns, hopes, and visions for a shifting society, presciently foreshadowing an era of political division, disinformation, and a renewed fight for racial justice. Continue reading “Prince – Welcome 2 America (2021) [Official Digital Release]”

Donald Byrd – Street Lady (1973) [2020, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Donald Byrd - Street Lady (1973) [2020, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Donald Byrd – Street Lady (1973) [2020, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz | Stereo & 4.0 Quadraphonic
Hybrid SACD | No Scans
Total Size: 2.08 GB (ISO) + 1.78 GB (FLAC MCH) + 829 MB (FLAC STEREO) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Vocalion | UK | Cat#: CDSML 8576 | Genre: Jazz, Soul, Funk

Not so much a fusion album as an attempt at mainstream soul and R&B, Street Lady plays like the soundtrack to a forgotten blaxploitation film. Producer/arranger/composer Larry Mizell conceived Street Lady as a concept album to a spirited, independent prostitute, and while the hooker with a heart of gold concept is a little trite, the music uncannily evokes an urban landscape circa the early ’70s. Continue reading “Donald Byrd – Street Lady (1973) [2020, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

Donald Byrd – Black Byrd (1973) [2019, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Donald Byrd - Black Byrd (1973) [2019, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Donald Byrd – Black Byrd (1973) [2019, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]
SACD Rip | ISO / DSD / 1bit / 2.8224MHz | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 88.2kHz | Stereo & 4.0 Quadraphonic
Hybrid SACD | No Scans
Total Size: 1.99 GB (ISO) + 1.66 GB (FLAC MCH) + 837 MB (FLAC STEREO) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Vocalion | UK | Cat#: CDSML 8559 | Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul

Purists howled with indignation when Donald Byrd released Black Byrd, a full-fledged foray into R&B that erupted into a popular phenomenon. Byrd was branded a sellout and a traitor to his hard bop credentials, especially after Black Byrd became the biggest-selling album in Blue Note history. What the elitists missed, though, was that Black Byrd was the moment when Byrd’s brand of fusion finally stepped out from under the shadow of his chief influence, Miles Davis, and found a distinctive voice of its own. Continue reading “Donald Byrd – Black Byrd (1973) [2019, Remastered, Hi-Res SACD Rip]”

War – Platinum Jazz (1976) [1995, Remastered]

War - Platinum Jazz (1976) [1995, Remastered]

War – Platinum Jazz (1976) [1995, Remastered]
EAC Rip | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 474 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Avenue | US | Cat#: ASR 10606-2 | Genre: Jazz, Funk, Latin Jazz

An often overlooked and underrated part of War’s legacy was their instrumentals, many of which were quite imaginative. War’s members loved jazz, and they expressed that passion not because they had any illusions of trying to compete with Miles Davis or Joe Henderson, but simply for the enjoyment of it. Released as a two-LP set, Platinum Jazz gathered War’s previously released instrumentals (plus one vocal, “Deliver the Word”) with fine results. Continue reading “War – Platinum Jazz (1976) [1995, Remastered]”

War – War (1971) [1992, Remastered]

War - War (1971) [1992, Remastered]

War – War (1971) [1992, Remastered]
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 253 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: ARG Records | EU | Cat#: 74321 30737 2 | Genre: R&B, Funk

War’s first album without Eric Burdon was a strange, imposing, and beautiful hybrid — a bridge between their then-current work with Burdon and their roots, going back to the early ’60s and their origins as the Creators and the Nightshift. Although it was never a hit — topping out at number 190 on the charts — or yielded any substantial AM radio hits, the album is musically imposing in its sheer breadth, and its boldness Continue reading “War – War (1971) [1992, Remastered]”

Earl Klugh – Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Earl Klugh - Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

Earl Klugh – Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, 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: 770 MB (Hi-Res) + 208 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-025 | Genre: Jazz, Funk, Soul
Half-Speed Mastered

This 1977 release was the third studio album by Earl Klugh. The album hit the Billboard 200 at number 84. The guitarist was inspired at the age of 13 during a performance by Chet Atkins on the Perry Como Show. He mae his first recording at age 15 and later played on George Benson’s White Rabbit album. Continue reading “Earl Klugh – Finger Paintings (1977) [1980, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

The Crusaders – Chain Reaction (1975) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

The Crusaders - Chain Reaction (1975) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]

The Crusaders – Chain Reaction (1975) [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: 889 MB (Hi-Res) + 255 MB (CD-Quality) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab | Pressed In Japan | Cat#: MFSL 1-010 | Genre: Jazz-Funk, Funk, Disco
Half-Speed Mastered

One of the tastiest concoctions of the mid-’70s jazz-fusion era, Chain Reaction finds the Crusaders at the top of their form. The compositions are both accessible and memorable, and the playing is uniformly excellent. Guitarist Larry Carlton delivers some of his finest licks and funkified rhythm work. Wayne Henderson shows there is a place in fusion for the trombone. Continue reading “The Crusaders – Chain Reaction (1975) [1979, MFSL Remastered, CD-Quality + Hi-Res Vinyl Rip]”

VA – Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story 1959-1965 (1994) [2021, Reissue, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]

VA - Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965 (1994) [2021, Reissue, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]

VA – Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story 1959-1965 (1994)
[2021, Reissue, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]

Hi-Res | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz & 192kHz
Total Size: 4.90 GB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: ABKCO | Genre: Soul, Early R&B

Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story is a double-disc set presenting material recorded for the legendary soul singer’s own SAR label from 1959-1965, much of it produced by Cooke himself and including a few of his rough, unreleased demos. The first disc covers the label’s religious side, with a multitude of cuts from Cooke’s former group the Soul Stirrers (now with Jimmie Outler on lead vocals), plus a generous helping of songs by R.H. Harris & His Gospel Paraders and the Womack Brothers. Continue reading “VA – Sam Cooke’s SAR Records Story 1959-1965 (1994) [2021, Reissue, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]”

Ben E. King – Stand By Me… And Other Hits (2018) [WEB Hi-Res]

Ben E. King - Stand By Me... And Other Hits (2018) [WEB Hi-Res]

Ben E. King – Stand By Me… And Other Hits (2018) [WEB Hi-Res]
WEB Download | Hi-Res | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 44.1kHz
Total Size: 431 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: All Time Records | Genre: R&B, Soul

Continue reading “Ben E. King – Stand By Me… And Other Hits (2018) [WEB Hi-Res]”

Ben E. King – The Ultimate Best Of Ben E. King (2015) [WEB Hi-Res]

Ben E. King - The Ultimate Best Of Ben E. King (2015) [WEB Hi-Res]

Ben E. King – The Ultimate Best Of Ben E. King (2015) [WEB Hi-Res]
WEB Download | Hi-Res | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz
Total Size: 285 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: BnF Collection | Genre: R&B
Continue reading “Ben E. King – The Ultimate Best Of Ben E. King (2015) [WEB Hi-Res]”

Ben E. King – Don’t Play That Song! (1962) [2014, Remaster, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]

Ben E. King - Don't Play That Song! (1962) [2014, Remaster, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]

Ben E. King – Don’t Play That Song! (1962) [2014, Remaster, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]
Hi-Res | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz & 192kHz
Total Size: 1.02 GB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Rhino / Atlantic | Genre: Early R&B

Ben E. King’s third album is a little short in running time but very high in quality, in terms of the dozen songs here. The title track was the selling point, but couldn’t help but be seduced by the exquisite production of “Ecstasy” and “On the Horizon,” the latter making about as fine use of harps and an ethereal chorus as one imagines possible — and when the strings come in, violins and cellos alternately, the sheer beauty of the track just overflows. “Show Me the Way to Your Heart” isn’t too far behind Continue reading “Ben E. King – Don’t Play That Song! (1962) [2014, Remaster, Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]”

Paul Stanley’s Soul Station – Now And Then (2021) [Japan]

Paul Stanley's Soul Station - Now And Then (2021) [Japan]

Paul Stanley’s Soul Station – Now And Then (2021) [Japan]
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 361 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Universal | Japan | Cat#: UICY-15975 | Genre: Funk, Soul

Famous rock stars paying homage to a genre that inspired them is nothing new, though more often than not, these vanity projects manifest themselves in the form of well-meant but heavy-handed Americana “roots” collaborations or the inevitable jazz standards record. As the frontman for Kiss, Paul Stanley has made a lasting impact on rock & roll, marshalling one of the industry’s most die-hard fan bases, the Kiss Army, well into its fifth decade of obsession. Continue reading “Paul Stanley’s Soul Station – Now And Then (2021) [Japan]”

Marvin Gaye – Albums Collection (1964-2019) [Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]

Marvin Gaye - Albums Collection (1964-2019) [Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]

Marvin Gaye – Albums Collection (1964-2019) [Hi-Res]
[Official Digital Release]

19 Discs | Hi-Res | FLAC Tracks / 24bit / 96kHz / 192kHz
3% RAR Recovery
R&B / SOUL / ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Continue reading “Marvin Gaye – Albums Collection (1964-2019) [Hi-Res] [Official Digital Release]”

Eric Burdon – Albums Collection

Eric Burdon - Albums Collection

Eric Burdon – Albums Collection
XLD/EAC Rip | FLAC + Cue + log | Full Scans Included
28 Discs | 3% RAR Recovery
Classic Rock / Blues Rock / R&B / Rock & Roll

As the lead singer of the Animals, Eric Burdon was one of the British Invasion’s most distinctive vocalists, with a searingly powerful blues-rock voice. When the first lineup of the group fell apart in 1966, Burdon kept the Animals’ name going with various players for a few years. Usually billed as Eric Burdon & the Animals, the group was essentially Burdon’s vehicle, which he used to purvey a far more psychedelic and less R&B-oriented vision. Continue reading “Eric Burdon – Albums Collection”