Freestyle Records drop a killer UK soul/early street soul reissue LP from 1988, in the form of Rick Clarke's hard to come by 'Time Keeps Moving On' album.
Originally appearing on the Raven label in 1988, Time Keeps Moving On constituted Rick Clarke's first LP following his work in the earlier eighties as part of brit-funk groups Potion and Side On, and solo output including Love with a Stranger (released on The Specials' Ghost Town's producer John Collins' Local Records imprint) and a few singles for RCA. Largely co-written and co-produced with Peter Hinds (Take Three, Atmosfear, Light of the World) and a guest turn from Master T aka Toyin Agbetu - this is foundational street soul that appeared at a time when the likes of Loose Ends were starting to break through to the US, and Soul II Soul just emerging. More

Street soul grail alert! Freestyle reissue the previously white label-only Guess Who LP, originally released anonymously by Rick Clarke in 1992. Crossing ruff-but-sweet UK street soul sensibilities with stripped-back house, garage and hip-hop flavours, the Guess Who LP was dropped covertly during a period in the early 90s when Rick was signed up to Soul II Soul's Funki Dreds label, contractually restricting him from releasing his music elsewhere. Bubbling with creative energy and a slew of ideas that he just couldn't help himself from getting out there, Rick brought a range of friends and collaborators to his MJB Records studio in West Kensington where the LP was produced and recorded on his trusty Fostex E16 in a matter of a couple of days. Raw drum machines and simple but effective basslines & melodies abound across the album's 9 offerings - with tracks at times feeling like pencilled musical ideas still in flux. Highlights include Jill Francis' sublime vocal riding the stripped-back samba-esque groove of Gonna Make You Happy, the sugary soul harmonies of Imaani's Share My Love With You, and criminally short outro track Sweet Vibrations. More

Freestyle continues with their drive to unearth rare and classic UK funk, soul & boogie records with a reissue of a formerly white label-only, rare-as-hens-teeth debut 12" by UK soul icon Rick Clarke from way back in 1981. Sharing the same line-up of performers as the eponymous group Potion (Rick Clarke, Carlton White on bass & Everton McCalla, formerly of Light of the World and later Freeez, on drums) though credited on the OG press as Rick Clarke alone, this 12" came out originally in the same year as the also sought after Potion 12" "Catch The Feelin' (Showstopper)" - a year before we would see Rick & Everton release the classic british electro funk of "Magic" as Side On (with Peter Mass) on Beggars Banquet. This is a classic slice of British disco funk, showcasing an early vocal talent that would go on to become a key feature of the late 80s UK soul scene, alongside a tight-as rhythm section. The subtly dubbed-out instrumental mix is a real treat too, bringing those synth flourishes and soaring horns to the fore and letting us hear Carlton's bass work wonders unencumbered. More

No deep dive into the Local Records back catalogue would be complete without a reissue of the prized jewel that is Jaye Williams ‘Let Me Be The One’.
Electro tinged street soul from the N17 ends, with ever reliable label boss and in-house (literally, in his front room) producer John Collins working his magic once again. That sultry voice? Local singer, Jaye Williams blessing the mic with some of the most dynamite lyrics Local Records had to offer…“I can see that you’ve been looking, for a love that’s new. Well let me tell you I’ve got something cooking… I know you’re feeling hungry and I’ve got enough for two”.
The flip houses the instrumental, bringing Tim Sanders on tenor sax and John Kpai on guitar to the DIY living room booth and adding another layer of sensuality to compliment that punchy synth bass oh so well. Think smokey, low lit bars, Cabernet Sauvignon flowing as easy as the conversation - this is one for the lovers and those that got away.
Pushing £100 on Discogs ‘Let Me Be The One’ is A grade, rarefied street soul gear, long buried deep within the wantlists of many a collector, who never thought they’d see this glorious day.
More

Following on from the incredibly well received reissue of Rick Clarke’s sensuous Street Soul number ‘Love With A Stranger’, Local Records dust off the tapes once again to reissue a Brit Funk gem from Janet Kay.
Originally released back in ’84, ‘Eternally Grateful’ encompasses the Brit Funk sound with a melting pot of styles that inspired the movement. Marrying Kay’s R&B infused vocals with a British flavoured boogie funk, jazzed up horns and a dubby bass, there’s a pop tinge that keeps things catchy and soulful in equal measure. Hold tight for those spiritual synth lines. Stratospheric stuff that will leave you feeling like you’ve been dancing in outer space.
Like all the Local Records back catalogue, ‘Eternally Grateful’ was produced by the label's mastermind John Collins. He nestles a dub version on the flip side, full of space echo sweetness and cascading drums - giving the funk bass centre stage, primed and ready to fuel dancefloors and capture spirits all over again.
Strap up the skates, it’s go time baby!
More

Two classic sides from the Federal vaults! Mastered at D&M. More

Synth lovers rock at its best! Jamaican born and New-York based, Laury Webb is a singer, musician, producer, actor, former model and writer. He's been called both the Opera Dread and the Frank Sinatra of Reggae.
Laury's musical career began with a role as keyboardist and later backing vocalist with the reggae vocal group The Meditations (with whom he continues to perform).
Laury Webb posses a unique and eclectic vocal style. He has performed at some of New York city's premier musical venues, including Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, The Village Gate, S.O.B.'s, The Ritz, The Lion's Den, Joe's Pub, Leopard Lounge, Kenny's Castaway, Central Park Summer Stage, The Baggot Inn and The Brooklyn Bowl.
After enjoying years of being a back-up musician, Laury launched a solo career with his Tigerbone Band. During that period he recorded and releases singles "Woman My Queen" and "It Seems The Same".
He was fresh out of college and touring with The Meditations, when he purchased a small organ for his girlfriend/mother of his two children for Christmas. By the time her birthday came around he was so broke and could not afford to purchase a birthday present for her so he gave her a writing pad and pen and told her to write down whatever came out of her mouth, and he sat at the keyboard and began playing and singing. “Woman My Queen”, was the result.
“It Seems The Same” was begun in America but I did not finish writing it till the music was recorded. My cousin, Barry Biggs, worked with me on this one. We both sang on the backing tracks.

Tracklist:

A1 - Woman My Queen
B1 - It Seems The Same
B2 - The Same Dub More