Following the mammoth Tabu re-issue campaign of the expanded edition original albums, we’re proud to announce a very special milestone in the illustrious history of Tabu Records - the first ever Tabu Records Box Set. Released 10^th March, this 6 CD + DVD + limited edition 7” vinyl features 93 tracks impeccably selected covering all the key tracks in Tabu’s arsenal from the labels inception in 1977 through to 1993.

Compiled by veteran expert, broadcaster, journalist, writer and all-round soulman Ralph Tee, The Tabu Records Box Set is a musical odyssey throughout the whole era of one of the most important US funk, soul and R&B labels of recent years.

Signature artist and Minneapolis soul man Alexander O’Neal’s most famous hits all feature, including, ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, ‘Criticize’ and ‘Fake’ along with his duets with fellow Tabu artist Cherrelle - ‘Saturday Love’ and ‘Never Knew Love Like This’.

Further highlights include the electro-funk sound of The S.O.S. Band’s, ‘Take Your Time Do It Right’, ‘Just Be Good to Me’, Tell Me If You Still Care and ‘The Finest’ along with the sultry Cherrelle’s, ‘I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On’ and ‘Everything I Miss at Home’, all extensively remastered and sounding as fresh as ever.

Also included for the first time ever on CD are more Tabu gems from the likes of Anacostia, James Robinson and Argentine pianist, composer and arranger Lalo Schifrin.

 

Tabu Records was one of the most iconic record labels of a generation. Across two decades, Tabu was an imprint that stood for quality and originality within soul, funk, jazz and dance genres. Artists on the label became household names and the creative team behind them stretched far beyond the label to sell tens of millions of albums.

Defining the sound of young America throughout the late 70s and 80s, the label was founded in 1975 by influential music executive Clarence Avant following the demise of his previous venture Sussex Records. The label burst onto the scene with Brainstorm’s funkin’ 1977 hit ‘Stormin’. While hits for O’Neal, Cherrelle and the S.O.S Band followed, the label also nurtured the powerhouse production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis - one of the most successful production teams of the last 30 years.

Their names are synonymous with success. Writing and producing virtually all of the label’s hits, the duo’s trademark sound set the foundations for modern RnB, connecting Tabu to the present day by penning 16 #1 Billboard hits for the likes of Janet Jackson and The Human League to Mariah Carey and Usher.

In addition to 6 CD’s of pure soul, funk, jazz and dance, a 60 page in-depth booklet features key biographical information, original photos and record scans plus an extensive Tabu Records discography courtesy of Paul ‘Soulguru’ Clifford.

Furthermore, the DVD contains 15 of the key official Tabu videos for the S.O.S. Band, Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle plus a bonus pair of filmed interviews with Tabu Records founder Clarence Avant and Tabu Records key production team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

An extra bonus is a special one-off 7” Tabu vinyl single of the hugely collectable (Ms) Sharon Ridley’s “Changin’” – the closing record for Paradise Garage backed with Manfredo Fest’s Jazz-Funk classic “Jungle Kitten”.

Tracklistings:

CD1 – INTRODUCING TABU

1. Wake Up & Be Somebody 06:22 – Brainstorm

2. No One Home 06:40 – Lalo Schifrin

3. Take Your Time Do It Right 07:23 – S.O.S. Band

4. Universal Love 04:25 – Woods Empire

5. Jungle Kitten 03:37 – Manfredo Fest

6. Changin’ 06:21 – Sharon Ridley

7. Middle Of The Night 03:59 – Lalo Schifrin

8. Waiting For Someone 06:11 – Brainstorm

9. Are You Ready? 05:06 – S.O.S. Band

10. Full Moon 04:45 – Sharon Ridley

11. Enchanted Flame 05:19 – Lalo Schifrin

12. Stormin’ 04:15 – Brainstorm

13. Koko And Leeroe 04:48 – Manfredo Fest

14. Guess I’m Gonna Have To Say Goodbye 03:02 – Sharon Ridley

15. Journey To The Light 05:45 – Brainstorm

CD2 – AT THE DANCE

1. S.O.S. (Dit Dit Dat Dat) 05:34 – S.O.S. Band

2. Lovin’ Is Really My Game 05:00 – Brainstorm

3. Sweet Delight (Special Mix) 06:55 – Woods Empire

4. Groovin’ (That’s What We’re Doin’) 04:28 – S.O.S. Band

5. Knock Down The Walls 05:07 – General Caine

6. Sister Fine 04:04 – Lamont Johnson

7. Can’t Get Enough 05:47 – S.O.S. Band

8. Your Unchanging Love 03:16 – Anacostia

9. Oh Darlin...Life Goes On 04:32 – Lalo Schifrin

10. Girls 05:53 – General Caine

11. Love Won’t Wait For Love 05:35 – S.O.S. Band

12. Who Needs It 04:23 – Manfredo Fest

13. Hangin’ On 04:17 – Brainstorm

14. Looking For You 04:31 – S.O.S. Band

15. Hot For You 10:48 – Brainstorm

CD3 – ROMANCING AND MELLOW GROOVES

1. If You Were Here Tonight 06:11 – Alexander O’Neal

2. I Will Wait For You 03:44 – Cherrelle

3. This Must Be Heaven 04:49 – Lamont Johnson

4. Loving Just You 04:26 – Brainstorm

5. Memory Of Love 04:43 – Lalo Schifrin

6. Do You Wanna Like I Do? 04:51 – Alexander O’Neal

7. Upside Down 04:21 – General Caine

8. What’s Wrong With Our Love Affair? 04:55 – S.O.S. Band

9. Easy Come, Easy Go 04:56 – Lamont Johnson

10. Destiny 03:34 – Woods Empire

11. Ain’t Nothing To It 03:40 – Anacostia

12. Just You And Me 04:51 – Sharon Ridley

13. Look At Us Now 05:10 – Alexander O’Neal

14. Stay With Me 04:02 – Cherrelle

15. You Put A Charge In My Life 04:09 – Brainstorm

15. I Need You Now 04:57 – Cherrelle

16. All For You 03:22 – Anacostia

CD4 – THE JAM AND LEWIS SESSIONS

1. High Hopes 06:32 – S.O.S. Band

2. What’s Missing? 05:45 – Alexander O’Neal

3. I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On 07:03 – Cherrelle

4. Just Be Good To Me 04:02 – S.O.S Band

5. Saturday Love 05:02 – Cherrelle

6. Never Knew Love Like This 03:31 – Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle

7. No One’s Gonna Love You 06:34 – S.O.S Band

8. Weekend Girl 06:24 – S.O.S Band

9. When You Look In My Eyes 04:48 – Cherrelle

10. A Broken Heart Can Mend 03:47 – Alexander O’Neal

11. Tell Me If You Still Care 07:01 – S.O.S. Band

12. Will You Satisfy? 05:09 – Cherrelle

13. Just The Way You Like It 08:44 – S.O.S. Band

CD5 – JAM, LEWIS & BEYOND

1. The Finest 05:58 – S.O.S Band

2. What Is This Thing Called Love 04:11 – Alexander O’Neal

3. Keep It Inside 04:13 – Cherrelle

4. Fake ‘88 (Remix) 03:52 – Alexander O’Neal

5. One Of Many Nights – S.O.S. Band

6. The Lovers 03:42 – Alexander O’Neal

7. Sands Of Time 04:27 – S.O.S Band

8. Can-Do Can-Do 04:42 – Demetrius Perry

9. (What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me 04:25 –Alexander O’Neal

10. State Of Attraction 04:02 – Rhonda Clark

11. Thin Line 03:53 – Kathy Mathis

12. Just What I’ve Been Missing 05:24 – James Robinson

13. Automatic Stop & Go 03:53 – Kathy Mathis

14. Criticize 04:02 – Alexander O’Neal

15. Love Festival 05:00 – Kathy Mathis

16. Another World 05:18 – Demetrius Perry

17. Sunshine 04:05 – Alexander O’Neal

CD6 – THE FINAL YEARS

1. Still In Love With You 05:13 – Cherrelle

2. Feeling 06:27 – S.O.S. Band

3. Everything I Miss At Home 03:55 – Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle

4. Can We Do It Again 05:13 – James Robinson

5. Separate Ways 05:44 – Mary Davis

6. Lady 05:35 – Alexander O’Neal

7. You’re My Everything (Ft Chuck Howard) 04:23 – Rhonda Clark

8. Can’t Explain 05:31 – S.O.S. Band

9. Tears Of Joy 04:24 – Cherrelle

10. Guilty 04:51 – James Robinson

11. Sentimental 04:38 – Alexander O’Neal

12. Broken Promises 05:02 – S.O.S. Band

13. Breathless 04:44 – Demetrius Perry

14. Now That You’re Gone 03:18 – Kathy Mathis

15. My Gift To You 04:16 – Alexander O’Neal

16. We’re On Our Way Home (Part 1) 03:46 – Brainstorm

DVD

A Selection Of Tabu Videos:

1. Just The Way You Like It – The S.O.S. Band

2. Innocent – Alexander O’Neal

3. If You Were Here Tonight – Alexander O’Neal

4. Borrowed Love – The S.O.S. Band

5. Fake – Alexander O’Neal

6. Criticize – Alexander O’Neal

7. Never Knew Love Like This – Alexander O’Neal ft Cherrelle

8. Affair – Cherrelle

9. What Can I Say To Make You Love Me – Alexander O’Neal

10. Hitmix – Alexander O’Neal

11. What Is This Thing Called Love – Alexander O’Neal

12. Tears Of Joy – Cherrelle

13. Sentimental – Alexander O’Neal

14. Love Makes No Sense – Alexander O’Neal

15. Aphrodisia – Alexander O’Neal

+ Exclusive Video Interviews with Clarence Avant & Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

Bonus 7” Single:

 

Changin’ 3.34 – (Ms) Sharon Ridley // AA. Jungle Kitten 3.36 – Manfredo Fest