RECORD STORE DAY VINYL RELEASES: RICK JAMES & TEENA MARIE, SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS, SAM COOKE

RICK JAMES - YOU AND I (EXTENDED M+M MIX) / / RICK JAMES + TENNA MARIE - FIRE AND DESIRE (LIVE)

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) is releasing an exclusive and limited release of Rick James classics on vinyl.  From the Motown vaults, two tracks released for the first time: an extended, nearly 10-minute version of Rick James's first hit from 1978, mixed by John Morales of "M+M Mix" fame. The flip side is the long lost but now found live duet with Teena Marie, "Fire and Desire." Their epic, 20-minute rendition was recorded live In Long Beach, CA, July 1981, and is also mixed by John Morales Only 2,500 numbered copies will be available. Side A: You And I (Extended M+M Mix) (9:40) / Side B: Fire And Desire (Live) with Teena Marie (19:50), Live In Long Beach, CA July 30, 1981. Both mixed by John Morales for M+M Productions on 12” vinyl.

SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS - DAP-DIPPIN' WITH...SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS

A stunner – the first full album by deep funk singer Sharon Jones, and an instant soul masterpiece! The album's right up there with the best work by James Brown divas like Marva Whitney, Vicki Anderson, and Lyn Collins – and overall, we might dare say that the album's even better than any of theirs, as it's an all-solid, all-funky effort all the way through! Backings are by the Dap-Kings – grooving hard in a sock-soul funky 45 mode that never lets up – and we can't think of a better album of funky female soul to recommend this year, or maybe even this decade. Just when you thought you'd be saying "they don't make soul music like this anymore" – here it comes to whomp you on the head! Titles include "Got A Thing On My Mind", "Make It Good To Me", "Casella Walk", "Pick It Up, Lay It In The Cut", "Give Me A Chance", "The Dap Dip", "What Have You Done For Me Lately", and "Got To Be The Way It Is". ~ Dusty Groove

SAM COOKE - AIN'T THAT GOOD NEWS

Good news galore from the great Sam Cooke – maybe THE album in which he fully shows off his unique contribution to soul music in the 60s – that mix of raw and sweet, easygoing and progressive – a mode that had a huge impact at the time, and went onto become a strong influence for years to come! Key proof of this approach is the landmark track "A Change is Gonna Come" – a slyly righteous track that became a huge Civil Rights anthem and has continued to have social power for many years. And even the more mundane titles have a fresh approach too – like the hit "Another Saturday Night", and a host of other gems that include "Home", "No Second Time", "The Riddle Song", "Good Times", "Meet Me At Mary's Place", and "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day". ~ Dusty Groove