Reply With QuoteYou've met the right man!!! We could talk for hours about this and I love the topic although just a bit broad.
My favorite compilation in this genre is Phat Trax Vol 6 on Rhino.
Artists, tracks, and years are as follows:
Slave-snapshot 1981
Brick-push push 1980
One Way-push 1981
Xavier-work that sucker to death 1981
Jimmy G & the Tackheads 1986
kleer-tonight 1984
George Duke-duckey stick 1978
Chapparrals-shake your head 1978
Chuck Brown & Soul Searchers-Bustin' Loose 1978
Soul Searchers-Ashley's roach clip 1974 (instrumental)
Faze-o-good thang 1978
Pleasure-Glide 1979
My favorite original album is Steve Arrington Hall of Fame 1 from 1983. You will flip your wig when you hear this. Choice cuts include "Nobody can be you but you, Weak in the knees, and Way out." Arrington was also the lead vocalist for Slave which is almost as good.
My favorite compilation or best of is Unlimited Touch - Searching to find the one. It has almost everything from their first 2Lps and no abridged single edits which should be avoided. Choice cuts include "I hear music in the streets and love explosion".
I would not reccommend anything else by Fat Larry's band. "Act like you know" is as funky and as soulful as they got. If you like that groove check out Keni Burke's "Rising to the top" and Dennis Edwards (formerly of Temptations) "Don't look any further." There's a compilation from Spectrum UK called Collection by Dennis Edwards that includes all his solo work at Motown.
I would reccomend compilations and original albums by the solid artists you have mentioned especially Patrice Rushen, Teena Marie, and Cheryl Lynn, and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. If you like the Mary Jane Girls check out "Candyman" and their founder Rick James. There's several double disc sets available by him.
If you like Jesse Johnson, you may want to check out the 3 Time albums still available which featured Jam and Lewis. For me these Time recordings are too rock orientated and playful but other collectors love them. Other Minneapolis soul artists include Cherelle and a very soulful Alexander O'Neal. O'neal could do synthesized funk, Black top 40, quiet storm ballads, and anything else.
You also made reference to some Solar recording artists. Everything the Whispers ever done is solid. Shalamar is best before the main lineup started to leave in 1983. You may also seek out Midnight Star, Carrie Lucas, and Dynasty. Midnight Star had many turnable dance grooves like "Wet my whistle, Curious, No parking on the dance floor, and Midas touch."
Another reissue label worth checking out is Unidisc. They distribute material from Prelude records. Here are some tracks:
Jocelyn Brown-Somebody else's guy
Strikers-Body music
Weeks & company-Rock the world
D-train-You're the one for me, Something's on your mind
Tracey Weber-Sure shot
Toney Lee-Reach up
Heaven & earth-I really love you
France Joli-Gonna get over you-more soulful than "Come to me"
Three almost obscure artists and highlighted tracks definitely worth checking out are Dayton-Sound of music, Positive Force-We got the funk, and Breakwater-Say you love me girl.
I hope I have not overwhelmed you. Get to know the artists, songs, and labels that distribute them. Some stuff is hard to find in your local Cd store and you may have to shell out $20 for a compilation through special order. I have had good luck buying online and through mail order houses. Always read what layman and critics think about the music before you buy it.
Good luck collecting. It doesn't stop. I have 6,000 CDs of primarily this type music and quiet storm with emphasis on the early 1990's. I'll check this thread everyday if you have any more questions or need advice. Welcome aboard the ship!
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