The Big Break

Joe Tex - Bumps & Bruises (1977) {2013 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR 0247}
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© 1977, 2013 Epic / Big Break Records | CDBBR 0247
R&B / Soul / Funk / Disco / Southern Soul

Joe Tex (born Joseph Arrington, Jr. in Rogers, Texas) was one of Southern Soul’s most uncompromising performers blending gospel, country and rhythm & blues into his repertoire. After winning several revues at the famed Apollo Theatre Tex signed to King Records, in 1955 and recorded a succession of singles for the label from ballads to rockers. A session at Muscle Shoals in 1964, with the singer now signed to the Dial label, produced Tex’s first R&B #1 with the straight ahead R&B ballad ‘Hold What You’ve Got.’ Over the next 10 years Tex racked up numerous R&B and Pop hits including arguably his most well-known song ‘Skinny Legs And All’ in 1967 (R&B #2) and ‘I Gotcha,’ his fourth R&B #1 in 1972.

Heatwave - Current (1982) {2010 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR 0010}
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© 1982, 2010 Big Break Records / Cherry Red Records | CDBBR 0010
R'n'B / Disco / Post Disco / Soul / Funk / Quiet Storm

With four successful albums behind them in nearly as many years, and despite the fact that they were in the beginning throes of the bitter end of the band, Heatwave brought their fifth album, Current, to bear in 1982 and scored another Top 30 U.S. hit to boot. With producer Barry Blue again at the helm and with another clutch of Rod Temperton-penned songs behind their substantial R&B chops, Heatwave was able to add one final feather to a cap that history continues to seriously underrate.

Billy Paul - 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul (1972) {2012 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR0175}
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© 1972, 2012 Sony Music / Big Break Records / Cherry Red Records | CDBBR 0175
R'n'B / Soul / Philly Soul / Psychedelic Soul / Soul Jazz

2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the hugely influential Philadelphia International Records. To mark this, and following our reissue of some of the labels other acts such as the Three Degrees, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and the O’Jays. We are pleased to present another album from one of the most identifiable voices of the Philly Sound. Billy Paul is a Grammy Award winning soul singer, most noted for his R&B and Pop #1 ME AND MRS. JONES from this 1972 album 360 DEGREES OF BILLY PAUL.

Azteca - Pyramid Of The Moon (1973) {2013 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR0206}
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© 1973, 2013 Columbia / Big Break Records / Cherry Red Records | CDBBR 0206
Rock / Jazz / Fusion / Funk / Latin Rock

A really special record from a really special group – one of two sublime 70s gems from Azteca – a wicked blend of jazz, funk, Latin, and soul – all put together by a young Coke Escovedo! Coke's ostensibly the leader of the group, but there's also a richly collaborative feel going on – a style that brings together jazz players like Tom Harrell on trumpet, Mel Martin on saxes, George Muribus on Fender Rhodes, and Flip Nunez on organ – and Latin players like Victor Pantoja on congas, Coke Escovedo on timbales, and Pete Escovedo on added percussion. In fact, the set's a key early example of the strength of the Escovedo family – and like their best later efforts, the set really stretches out and pushes the boundaries of conventional genres. There's also some great guest work from Lenny White on drums, Mike Nock on keyboards, and Neal Schon on guitars – and vocals are by a range of singers who really keep things fresh.

Carol Williams - 'Lectric Lady (1976) {2014 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR 0236}
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© 1976, 2014 Verse Music / Big Break Records / Cherry Red Records | CDBBR 0236
R'n'B / Disco / Soul / Smooth Soul / Dance

CAROL WILLIAMS, from Montclair, New Jersey, was the first female singer to sign a solo recording contract with the legendary disco label Salsoul Records. With Williams vocal audition trumping all other hopefuls, allied with her extensive experience in the industry due to being an integral member of soul groups The Geminis and The Del-Rios, she was the obvious choice for the label who were looking for their equivalent of Gloria Gaynor who was riding high at the time with the success of her disco smash “Never Can Say Goodbye.” Williams soon got to work with legendary producer and multi-instrumentalist Vincent Montana, Jr. and his incredible Salsoul Orchestra, contributing not only several track selections but also co-writing three of the cuts on her debut offering.

Linda Lewis - Lark (1972) {2012 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR 0092}
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© 1972, 2012 Reprise / Big Break Records / Cherry Red Records | CDBBR 0092
R'n'B / Soul / Soft Rock

Few artists can fuse genres as effortlessly as Linda Lewis. Gifted with an incredible 5 octave vocal range, her unique sound contains elements of Folk, Soul, Pop and Rock and has won the admiration of artists from Stevie Wonder to Paul Weller, Jamiroquai and Noel Gallagher, who Linda recently recorded backing vocals for.

Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye (1973) {2010 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR0001)
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© 1973, 2010 Big Break Records / Cherry Red Records | CDBBR 0001
R'n'B / Soul / Disco / Funk

The original Queen of Disco's first album makes it's international CD debut as the first release on new label Big Break Records. Never Can Say Goodbye features the genre-defining hits singles Honey Bee , Never Can Say Goodbye and Reach Out I'll Be There as well as additional UK hit All I Need Is Your Sweet Loving . The album made the top 40 in the USA, UK and Sweden upon it's original release. It was also the first to be remixed and segued by the legendary Tom Moulton, inventing the 12" remix along the way.

The Salsoul Orchestra - Street Sense (1979) {2014 Remastered & Expanded - Big Break Records CDBBR 0264}
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© 1979, 2014 Big Break Records / Cherry Red / Verse Music | CDBBR 0264
Soul / Funk / Disco / Philly Soul / Post Disco

THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA was the brainchild of once MFSB member and legendary vibraphonist, Vince Montana Jr. Formed in 1974, THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA, house band for the remarkable Salsoul Records, sometimes featured up to 50 members amongst its ranks including a number of former musicians from MFSB, and fused elements of Funk, Latin, Disco and Philly Soul into their compositions. Conducted and arranged by Montana, THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA began an eight-year recording period in 1975 releasing eleven sensational albums during that time featuring production input from, Stan Lucas, Patrick Adams and Bunny Sigler through the years.