Bassist Larry Graham – the architect of the slap-and-pluck bass technique that defined the funk sound of the ‘60s and ‘70s and continues to inspire bassists across virtually every genre to this day – may specialize in the low end of the sonic spectrum, but he’s just as ready to take his music to unprecedented heights. He’s been doing it for more than four decades – first as the rock-solid foundation for a string of enduring and iconic hits by Sly and the Family Stone, and later as the head of his own powerhouse unit, Graham Central Station.

After a 13-year hiatus, Graham Central Station makes its triumphant return with Raise Up, set for release on Listen 2 Entertainment distributed and marketed by Razor & Tie on September 25, 2012. Raise Up includes new versions of three classic GCS tracks, along with ten new songs for a new generation of fans. The album features guest appearances by Prince – a longtime collaborator with Graham and GCS since the late 1990s – as well as songwriter/guitarist/producer Rafael Saadiq.

Ferry Ultra and the homeless Funkers is an album like Cool Million. He colloborate with some old school funkers like Gwen Mccrae, Roy Ayers and Kurtis Blow. The album consist of some covers but also new stuff. Great album. Check the track 'I Owe My Love To You'.

Vinyl Masterpiece, a Dutch reissuer of great funk albums, has just reissued two fantastic albums by Kool and The Gang. The first of two is the album 'The Force' from 1977 original pressed on DE-LITE Records (940558).

This and the other reissue album 'Everybody's Dancing' are recorded for the period that Kool and the Gang hit the charts with 'Celebrations', 'Ladies Night', 'Too Hot' and a few years later with 'Cherish' and 'Fresh'.

The tracks on this album are from a different cake than the mentioned previous tracks. Let's start with track #1-2 respectively 'A place in Space' and 'Slick Superchick'. Both have superb heavy Funk bass lines, a lot of brass, synth, Synthesized vocal sounds. Almost no Lyrics, just chants and shouts. You can compare track #3 'just Be True' with the 'Roy Ayers' sound from the seventies. My favorite. Back to the funk with the album title track 'The Force'. Again heavy funk, just like 'Mighty Mighty High'. 'Oasis' is a down-tempo mellow type of song with great female vocals. 'Life's A Song' is also in the style of 'Just Be True'. If you like heavy funk then this album is a killer. Don't make any conclusions when looking at the group name.
Sound samples and CD available at vinyl Masterpiece

Vinyl Masterpiece, a Dutch reissuer of great funk albums, has just reissued two fantastic albums by Kool and The Gang. One of the two is the album 'Everbody's Dancin'' from 1978 original pressed on DE-LITE Records.

This and the other reissue album 'The Force' are recorded for the period that Kool and the Gang hit the charts with 'Celebrations', 'Ladies Night', 'Too Hot' and a few years later with 'Cherish' and 'Fresh'.

This album is pure funk and nothing else but the funk. The 8 minute title track 'Everybody's Dancin'' fooles you in the first 45 seconds. Watch my words. Get your 'Dancin Shoes' just like 'Big Chief Funkum' are both funk tracks of the first kind with lots of bass, brass, synth sounds. Track #4 'I Like Music' looks like a precessor for the coming period. Midtempo, less funk. The same is true for 'At The Party'. Nice tracks though. The smooth downtempo track 'Stay Awhile' sounds very fresh with nice guitar, and violin work. Great vocals. 'It's All You Need' is superb. Another great reissue on CD. Check the samples. You won't be disappointed. Sound samples and CD available at vinyl Masterpiece

67 years old Lenny Williams has recorded seventeen albums since he started his solo career in 1974. Before that time he was successful as member of 'The Tower Of Power'.

Williams have just finished his latest album 'Still In The Game' on Bridle Ridge Records. His newest album consists of twelve soulful tracks. The first single from this album is 'Still'. This album is appropriate for the new and old school fans. An example for the New School sound is track #2 'This Is For The One That Got Away' and 'Stepping And Dancing'.

This is A great album by mister Williams

The new awaiting album by Howard Johnson is now for sale. It is released sooner than expected. It contains ten tracks in 'Old School' style. I've added some extra samples for this album. Check it out. The album is flying out the door!

Buy This CD From First Experience Records From The UK Now!

Howard Johnson is working on a new album 'The Orange Album' and will be released this summer in August 2012. I've heard some samples of it and it looks very promising. The tracks i've heard are 'Keep It Coming' and 'Girl Talk' and are definitive in the 'Old School' style.

I asked Howard if his new album is completely in this format. His reaction was: want to keep fans from back in the day I don't think I'd be well accepted if I tried to give my fans a Chris Brown type retro track, the new album will be good.

In the early till mid eighties Howard released three albums. The first album Howard Johnson released was 'Keepin' Love New' The other two albums that Howard Johnson recorded are 'Doin' It My Way', 'Vision'. All three albums are released on A&M Records.

Check the album page For Samples

Cool Million (Rob Hardt and Frank Ryle) just released their third album '111' on the German Sedsoul Label. The disc contains fourteen funk, dance tunes in the 'famous' eighties sound. Some 'old school' singers collaborated on this album like Kenny Thomas, Peggi Blu. They selected for the other tracks other promising 'new school' artists. Great tunes are 'When We loved'. 'It's Your life' has the D-train sound.

This album is available in the stores from 2nd July.

Just released on PTG Records 'NightTime Lovers' Volume 16. A fine collection of disco, funk classics of the 80's. This album contains some well known tracks like Luther's 'I Wanted Your Love', Freddie Jacksons 'He'll never love you' and the superb 'Heaven Sent You' by Stanley Clarke, with guest vocalist Howard Hewett.

But als other great tracks like Dunn and Bruce Streets 'Shout For Joy', Steven and Sterling 'Can I Be With You Tonight' and Carl Carlton's 'Private Property'. There are more tracks on it but you have to check it out yourself. An must have.

Check this CD out on www.vinyl-masterpiece.com