Southern soul from her Columbia years, pre TK (but with Steve Alaimo producing, already). Killers like Lead Me On and I’m Losing The Feeling. Her voice never sounded better.

This is knockout.
Luminous, swinging, soaring soul music from 1971; richly arranged by Horace Ott.

His spectacularly seminal 2003 LP, plus fourteen hard-to-find or previously unreleased cuts, including seven instrumentals, and the celebrated freestyle Street Fighter.
On white, yellow and black vinyl, in a wide-spine, birthday-boy sleeve.

Misdemeanour is an irresistible Jacksons-style rare groove classic. Nicked from Dee Clark, arranged by Jerry Peters, sampled by Dre.
Here’s Foster aged eleven, smashing it on Soul Train in 1973, with sisters Angela and Patricia. (Not to mention his bros’ ‘fros.)

Her 1969 masterpiece, resting the psych-rock of Rotary Connection in favour of Ramsey Lewis’ set-up with Maurice White and Phil Upchurch, in pursuit of the Dionne Warwick / Bacharach & David sound. Of course the kicker is Charles Stepney’s production, peaking in the divine opener, Les Fleurs.

What a great record. Soaring early-eighties soul from Bill Withers’ spar — original, loose-limbed and funky, full of emotional intelligence and good vibes. Includes Love’s Too Hot To Hide, two-step heaven.

His ambitious 1974 breakthrough as leader, superbly mixing funk and jazz improvisation on a major-label recording budget, with strong political and spiritual themes, even a nod to the Duke.