Funky The Message

Over the decades, James Brown collaborated with, and encouraged, some of funk's leading ladies. During the '60s and early '70s in particular, every Brown show featured a 15- or 20-minute break when he would leave the stage, turning it over to a young female singer who'd perform her own mini set – an event that became a tradition and an important part of the revue. It is these women who are collected across this marvelous and historically potent two-disc set. The first disc (1960s) kicks off with Bea Ford's "You've Got the Power."

Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was an American record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1971 by songwriting and production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff along with their longtime collaborator Thom Bell. It was known for showcasing the Philadelphia soul music genre (also known as Philly soul) that was founded on the gospel, doo-wop and soul music of the time. This sound later marked a prominent and distinct era within the R&B genre. During the 1970s, the label released a string of worldwide hits that emphasized lavish orchestral instrumentation, heavy bass and driving percussion. Some of their most popular and best selling acts included the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, MFSB, Billy Paul, Patti LaBelle and Lou Rawls. Between 1971 and the early 1980s, the label released more than 170 gold and platinum records. Philadelphia International Records had been mostly defunct since 1987 and finally shut down in 2001. As of 2007, Sony Music Entertainment owns all rights to the Philadelphia International Records catalogue.

2012 two CD compilation. The 1970s: when the dudes were cool, the flares were wide and the bad bad hush yo' mouths were all over the movies. This fantastic collection brings you the hottest tunes of the era by Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack, Mavis Staples, Gil Scott-Heron and many others, from movies such as Superfly, Across 110th Street and Let's Do It Again, plus stunning Soul and Funk smashes in the same style. It's bad… in a good way! Metro Select.

Rainforest Band is a collaboration between guitarist Vernon 'Ice' Black, bassist Tony Saunders and keyboardist Sylvester Burks. The inspiration for the group came from the original Rainforest Band formed by Merl Saunders (Tony's dad), featuring Jerry Garcia. The 1990 project Blues From the Rainforest - a Musical Suite was created out of Merl and Jerry's need to spread the word about the beauty of the rainforest, as well as the message of preservation. With influences of world music, new age and traditional blues, Saunders and company crafted tunes that took the listener on a spiritual and musical journey that was close to their hearts.

For the very first time, this is a monumental 4 CD Set, 72 track collection of timeless HIP-HOP legends, strictly representing The Golden Era… Covering 1979-1999, this was an important era when quality HIP-HOP was centred around the very greatest acts at the top of their game. Taking lyricism to a whole new level, the undisputed masters are all present and correct - from the mighty Chuck D of Public Enemy, Rakim, KRS-One of BDP, LL, Biggie, Nas, Q-Tip of Tribe, Big Daddy Kane, Method Man from The Wu, Snoop Dogg, Kool G Rap (featured here on Heavy D’s classic posse cut), Ice Cube, Redman, Queen Latifah and Busta Rhymes - to lesser known but equally gifted rap talents such as AZ, Jeru The Damaja, Chubb Rock and Kool Keith of the Ultramagnetic MC’s.

This Ultimate Collections brings together 5CDs of the finest smooth 80s Grooves. 100 hit tracks from a decade that partied on the dancefloor to the sounds of Soul II Soul, Mantronix, Grace Jones, Shalamar, Neneh Cherry, Bobby Brown, Cameo, Sugarhill Gang, Gwen Guthrie, Mary Jane Girls and Midnight Star. Celebrating one of the most funky, soulful, and feel-good periods in music, this genre witnessed the explosion of music designed for the clubs and dancefloors transcend its humble origins and shoot to the very top of the charts. Its time to get your groove on, its time to throw your funky shapes, its time to get down…

Turn on your funk motor because here’s the full CD motherlode, the one-stop A to Z of the good groove from Maceo to The Meters and from P-Funk to Deep Funk. Featuring 3CDs of stone cold classics and a third featuring the best of funk’s nu breed.