‘Triumphant experiments in privately-issued sci-fi soul music; lonely transmissions from a planet in a state of cultural fugue. Packaged in a one-way portal to the further limits of expression. Some assembly required.’

Arranged and produced by Leroy Hutson, who co-wrote all the songs, and part engineered at Curtom. The Voices’ best album, brimming with good vibes, bubbling grooves, great singing, political resistance.

Sanctified, southern soul — lost, crying, frank harmonising, and swaying horns and organ — recorded at FAME, Muscle Shoals, in 1964, by cousins Johnny Simon and Ervin Wallace from Atlanta. Lover’s Prayer is a scorcher.
The vinyl is a facsimile of the original LP (on Russell Sims’ Nashville label); the ‘Complete Sims Recordings’ CD from Kent adds ten more sides.

Early-eighties R&B. (Previously unreleased, though Charles Davis cut a version for Sutra.)

Outstanding Goldwax soul, unreleased at the time.
A once-bitten-twice-shy wailer, backed with some rocking Northern.

Mid-seventies disco, produced by Eddie Drennon — Bo Diddley’s musical director, a decade before — and mixed by Tom Moulton.
Featuring the sublime Last Night Changed It All (I Really Had A Ball) — immortal bump’n'hustle from a woman’s point of view, beloved throughout the Zulu Nation as a queen amongst Ultimate Breaks & Beats, and sampled by De La Soul, BDP, Public Enemy, Guru, The Coup… the lot. (Trust Ghostface to piss in the font.)

With the inspirational Elevate Our Minds.
A Richard Evans production from 1979, between Chicago and LA, crowning Linda’s years masterminding Natalie Cole’s success.