Caldera - Caldera/Sky Islands

Track list:

CALDERA
1. Guanacaste
2. Coastin'
3. Exaltation
4. Synesthesia
5. Out Of The Blue
6. El Juguete

SKY ISLANDS
7. Sky Islands
8. Ancient Source
9. It Used To Be
10. Pegasus
11. Carnavalito
12. Seraphim (Angel)
13. Indigo Fire
14. Triste
15. Pescador (Fisherman)

• Originally formed in the mid-‘70s in Los Angeles, the jazz-fusion band Caldera made four albums for Capitol Records between 1976 and 1979. As part of its jazz-funk series, SoulMusic Records is proud to reissue the group’s first two LPs for the label, 1976’s self-titled set and the follow-up, 1977’s SKY ISLANDS in this two-on-one CD.

• The brainchild of guitarist Jorge Strunz, the nucleus of the band included Eduardo Del Barrio (keyboards); Steve Tavaglione (sax); Mike “Baiano” Azevedo (percussion); Carlos Vega (drums); and Dean Cortez (bass). The album CALDERA (which featured the US R&B-charted single, “Out Of The Blue”) was produced by former member of The Crusaders, Wayne Henderson and featured primarily compositions by Strunz and Del Barrio.

• The group’s acclaimed second set, SKY ISLANDS was produced by Del Barrio, Strunz and Earth, Wind & Fire keyboardist Larry Dunn (in his first outside production). In addition to Dunn as a musical guest, the album also featured a then-unknown Dianne Reeves on the title track (which she co-wrote with Dunn) and the much-revered standout cut, “Ancient Source.” The LP achieved US chart status and has since become a classic among jazz-fusion and jazz-funk fans worldwide.

• Illuminating notes by renowned US writer A. Scott Galloway include extensive quotes from Jorge Strunz, Eduardo Del Barrio, Wayne Henderson and Larry Dunn among others.

Soulmusic Records

Marlena Shaw - Just a Matter Of Time

Track listing:

1. It's Better Than Walkin' Out
2. Brass Band
3. This Time I'll Be Sweeter
4. Think About Me
5. You And Me
6. Love Has Gone Away
7. Sing To Me
8. Take My Body
9. Be For Real
10. No Hiding Place

Bonus Track:
11. It's Better Than Walkin' Out (12” Blue Note single)

• By the time she recorded JUST A MATTER OF TIME, her final Blue Note album in 1976, Marlena Shaw was a consistent performer, building a strong base among soul and jazz fans thanks to what would become future classics such as “Woman Of The Ghetto” and “California Soul.”

• With production by noted New York hitmaker Bert DeCoteaux, JUST A MATTER OF TIME was the follow-up to her much-acclaimed 1975 LP, “Who is This Bitch, Anyway?”(reissued by SoulMusic Records In 2012, SMCR-5066, the third of Marlena’s Blue Note sets released by the label alongside “From The Depths Of My Soul, SMCR-5027).

• A best-selling US charted jazz album, JUST A MATTER OF TIME included the upstate New York-born vocalist’s take on “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” (a song also recorded by Linda Lewis and Martha Reeves and later Angela Bofill and Roberta Flack); her own, “No Hidin’ Place”; Frederick Knight’s “Be For Real”; and “Love Has Gone Away,” previously recorded by The Spinners.

• One of the standout cuts on the album, “It’s Better Than Walkin’ Out” also provided a historic first for the prestigious Blue Note label when a 12” disco single version was issued, reaching the Top 10 on Billboard’s Dance Music and Club Play charts in 1976; it’s included as a bonus cut on this expanded edition of JUST A MATTER OF TIME which is making its worldwide CD debut.

• Includes notes by renowned U.S. writer A. Scott Galloway with quotes from a 2013 interview with Marlena for this reissue.


Soulmusic Records

THE DRAMATICS: DRAMA V Expanded Edition

Track list:

1. You're Fooling You
2. She's A Rainmaker
3. I Was The Life Of The Party
4. Things Are Changing
5. I'm Gonna Love You To The Max
6. Dramatic Theme / Treat Me Like A Man
7. Just Shopping (Not Buying Anything)
8. Come Out Of Your Thing
9. I'll Make It So Good

Bonus Track:
10. You're Fooling You (US ABC single)

• The Detroit-based Dramatics (originally formed in 1962) had hit their stride by the time they recorded DRAMA V,
their sixth overall album (and second for ABC Records) in 1975, a follow-up to LP, “The Dramatic Jackpot.”

The quintet (which had experienced a number of personnel changes over the preceding years) had established themselves in the premier league of black male vocal groups thanks to early ‘70s hits such as the classics, “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” and “In The Rain” for Volt Records.

• Working with producer Don Davis, songwriter Tony Hester and key musician/songwriter Michael Henderson – the team who had been responsible for their breakthrough Volt hits – among others, The Dramatics (L.J. Reynolds, Willie Ford, Ron Banks, Larry “Squirrell” Demps and Lenny Mayes) scored a US Top 10 R&B charted album with DRAMA V, thanks to standout tracks such as “Just Shopping (Not Buying Anything),” “Dramatic Theme/Treat Me Like A Man” (both penned by Henderson) and “I Was The Life Of The Party.”

• Making its worldwide CD debut, this SoulMusic Records’ reissue includes one bonus track, the Top 10 US R&B single version of “You’re Fooling You” along with liner notes by renowned US writer Quentin Harrison with 2013 quotes from Michael Henderson.

Soulmusic - Record Store

THE MCCRARYS: JUST FOR YOU/ALL NIGHT MUSIC (SMCR-25105)

Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, the brother-and-sister group The McCrarys began their career in the gospel field recording their first LP in 1972. However, it was a move into secular music in 1978 that brought the team national prominence in the US when their debut album for Portrait Records, “Loving Is Living” achieved success, in part due to the Top 10 R&B hit, “You” which featured one of their champions, Stevie Wonder. After their label follow-up LP, “On The Other Side,” the group signed a new deal with Capitol Records in 1980. • Consisting of sisters Charity and Linda and brothers Alfred, Howard and Sam, The McCrarys worked with producer/musician Patrick Henderson (whose roots were also in the gospel field). With seven tracks credited to various members of the group as songwriters, JUST FOR YOU included the key cut, “Any Ol’ Sunday” was recorded by Chaka Khan in 1981. • Teamed with former member of The Crusaders, Wayne Henderson (producer of Ronnie Laws, Esther Phillips, Side Effect and Pleasure among others), the group’s second Capitol LP, ALL NIGHT MUSIC fared better. The track, “Love On A Summer Night” became a Top 100 US R&B hit single and a constant favourite – and now classic - in the UK with ‘smooth groove’fans. • Both albums are making their worldwide CD debut with this SoulMusic Records reissue which includes notes by renowed UK writer Charles Waring with 2013 quotes from members of the group.


Soulmusic - Record Store

Expansion Records - Luxury Soul 2013

Sounds Of Imani “Must Be An Angel/It’s Alright

The Sounds Of Imani (with Imani being the Swahili word for faith) was created in 1996 by the versatile husband and wife team of Gerald and Carol Ervin. Carol a keyboard player, vocalist and songwriter in her own right, her background has always been within the gospel genre. She was a choir directress with several Church ensembles before forming in 1995 the Gospel/Jazz group, The Sounds Of J.U.T.O.C.A, with two of her co-workers from  the Detroit East Community Mental Health Service: Thomas Lawrence and Julia Shabazz; they were later joined by Selena Rowe.

While Gerry a cousin to James Mitchell of the Detroit Emeralds and Paul Mitchell of The Floaters began his career in the field of secular music. Gerald honed his vocal skills singing backing vocals with The Detroit Emeralds, Chapter 8 (pre Anita Baker) and The Floaters. He also featured in the group line up of The Flaming Emeralds with cousin Kenny Goodman, Al Martin, Glynis Martin, Rory Johnson and Chris Knight on their perennial 1977 Northern/Modern Soul classic “Have Some Everybody” (Fee 361).  Gerry also featured in the group line up of The Detroit Emeralds when they last toured the UK.  The legacy of The Flaming Emeralds continues today with Gerry’s cousin Kenny Goodman who is also currently acting as the musical director for Sounds Of Imani.

The Sounds Of Imani are regular performers throughout the Detroit metropolis helping to raise funds for many Community organisations and ministering to various shelter residents such as the Salvation Army and the Detroit Rescue Mission to name a few.  They have also appeared at several gospel events throughout California, Milwaukee and Illinois.

They recorded their debut cd album entitled “Revelation” in 2002, but it is two of their brand new songs from the “New Project” that we at Soul Junction have licensed for our next 45 release. The contemporary mid tempo gospel outing “Must Be An Angel” backed with the more upbeat dance track “It’s Alright” for your delight.

Jeannie Reynolds - One Wish Expanded Edition

Expansion proudly presents on CD for the first time, a true mid 70s lost soul gem from the vaults of Casablanca Records. Jeannie's voice has been compared to such greats as Gladys Knight and Tina Turner, and her tragic story left a legacy of only two albums, 'One Wish' being the second and released in 1977. Jeannie was the sister of Detroit soul star L.J. Reynolds who predominantly composed and produced songs on 'One Wish 'during his time with The Dramatics, and the group's producer Don Davis was also at work here too. The album has so many highlights it's hard to know where to start. There's the soul drenched power ballad 'I'm Hooked On You,' a song later recorded by The Dramatics themselves, and much later sampled by The Prodigy on 'Stuck On You'. There is further drama in the gospel styled production of the Hayes/Porter song 'Guide Me Well' and the show tune flavoured 'I Know I'll Always be In Love With You,' both with so much soul alongside the funk elsewhere on the album and the masterpiece many have collected this album on vinyl for over the years, 'I Don't Want To Be Second Best'. Bonus tracks include four sides from two 7' singles, all non-album tracks and including her biggest commercial hit 'The Phone s Been Jumping All Day'. This is all quality soul from the post Motown, pre-disco period of innovative and lavishly produced music

1. Come My Way

2. Be Someone

3. I Know I'll Always Be In Love With You

4. I'm Hooked On You

5. Sexy Man

6. I Don't Want To Be Second Best

7. Don't Make A Fool Of Me

8. Guide Me Well

9. The Phone's Been Jumping All Day (Bonus Track)

10. Unwanted Company (Bonus Track)

11. Lay Some Loving On Me (Bonus Track)

12. Love Don't Come Easy For Me (Bonus Track)