The Best Of Lash Records - Rare R&B & Soul Productions - 1961-1975 (Lash Records - 2009)

After the Ref-O-Ree label from Nasville, let's focus on Lash Records from Philadelphia. Created by brothers Al and Howard Ravitsky and a friend, Gil Lipschitz. It really amazes me to see those three jewish guys create a record label dedicated to underground doo-wop, R&B and soul, cuting sessions after sessions 7" in search of a national success that never came. But it's not the fault of the music, authentic, raw and good as I like it. It's not a surprise that Lash Records was popular among Northern Soul heads, his late 60's and early 70's recordings by the likes of Timmy Carr, Benny Sigler, Alfreda Brockington or Patty Hamilton being incredibly funky. A welcome discovery that allows you to possess nearly  all Lash releases (30 tracks) for a very decent price.

Download =>  The Best Of Lash Records

Downtown Soul From The Nashvile Indies (Blue Label/SPV - 2011)

Under this ugly cover you'll find an interesting compilation of deep and jazzy soul sides recorded for Nashville label Ref-O-Ree (with the exception of two tracks produced for Spar) between 1968 and the mid-70's, when the label went out of business. Ref-O-Ree was created by Ted Jarrett in 1968. All the singers from Nasville soul scene came by his studio to quickly record incandescent soul tracks and when no singers was avalaible, instrumentals were cut. Some were later used as backing tracks for proper singers. I had never heard of Rufus Hunter, The Precious Three, The Avalon Strings or Bob Holmes before buying this compilation but they were all extremely talented. The only downside of this compilation is the complete lack of informations on all those artists in the liner notes.

Download => Downtown Soul From The Nashville Indies

Rudy Ray Moore - Dolemite (Generation International - 1975)

Rudy Ray Moore was a succesful comedian when he jumped in the Blaxploitation wagon, shooting allegedly one of the baddest (and consequently seminal) movie ever made, Dolemite. Dolemite was already a successful character he used on his comedy routines he just morphed into a badass muthafucka that fight the Man and clean up the ghetto. For the soundtracks, Rudy Ray Moore hired session musicians whom he collectively titled The Soul Rebellion Orchestra. Ben Taylor and Mary Love provided the signing parts while Rudy Ray Moore can be heard toasting on Flatland. The overall result is a raw funky and soulful ride with one of Blaxploitation most enjoyfull soundtrack. I just regret that the sound on this 2006 Relapse reissue is below average. But it allows to find, with the complete Dolemite soundtrack, the Human Tornado soundtrack as well and radio spots made to advertise both movies. A must-have with plenty to sample. Some fellow blogger have already posted this album.

 Download => Rudy Ray Moore - Dolemite