With so many incredible reissues in 2019, I decided to break-up this year’s “best of” into two sections, full length albums and singles. Out of all the lists I put together for these year-end posts, both reissue lists were probably the most challenging to compile.

With that being said, here are BeatCaffeine’s favorite reissues and previously unreleased singles of 2019.

  

10. Universal Togetherness Band — ‘Dreamality / Lucky Stars’
(Previously unreleased, issued by Numero Group)

In 2014, the Numero Group label helped introduce the world to the Chicago-based funk group The Universal Togetherness Band with three incredible releases, including one full-length album and two 7inch singles. Just when many of us thought we’ve heard everything from this late seventies-early eighties band, the label has just put out a brand new 45rpm single featuring two previously unreleased tracks. The A-side features “Dreamality,” which is a spaced-out soul groover that definitely has some Steve Miller “fly like an eagle into the future” vibes. On the flip, “Lucky Stars” is an early boogie gem with some nice layered horn melodies, handclaps, and funky guitar rhythms.

 
 

9. Tony Ssenkebejje & The Cranes — ‘What’s Love / Joy’
(Originally released: 1975 / self-released)
(Reissued by Afro7 Records)

Finland-based Afro7 record label released a number of great 7inch singles in 2019, including this one featuring two soulful Afro-funk tracks from The Cranes, which was one of Uganda’s most popular bands in the 1970s. Both tracks featured on the seven-inch single, “What’s love” and “Joy,” are originally from the group’s 1974 extremely rare full-length album Top Ten Hits. Written both by singer and guitarist Tony Senkebejje, both songs are also prominently featured in the powerful documentary Bwana Jogoo: the ballad of Jessy Gitta.

 
 

8. Colleen Grant / Sandra Hamilton — ‘Latin Parang / Parang Jam’
(Originally released: 1980, 1981 / RH Productions)
(Reissued by Soundway)

Just recently, Soundway released a great new twelve-inch single featuring two rare Parang dance floor cuts from early 1980s Trinidad & Tobago. Parang is a style of folk music that originated from Venezuelan and Colombian immigrants that came to the Caribbean, and evolved to include elements of Latin music, disco and soca. Both tracks were originally released by the Trinidad & Tobago-based RH Productions label and are primed perfectly for any tropical dance party. 

 
 

7. Spirit — ‘Spirit’
(Originally released: 1977 / Peppermint Productions)
(Reissued by Rain&Shine)

New Zealand’s Rain&Shine label released a welcomed reissue of Spirit’s twelve-minute self-titled track from their 1979 album Put Your Hands Together.  Spirit was a group from Washington DC that was formed and lead by Ohio Gospel musician Tim Johnson. Recorded in a single day  at Peppermint Studios in Youngstown, Ohio the dance floor gem blends together disco-funk grooves with soulful Gospel-inspired vocals, and jazz influenced instrumentation. The twelve-inch single also features a great edit London’s Zaf & Phil Asher.

 
 

6. Vance & Suzzanne — ‘I Can’t Get Along Without You’
(Originally released: 1980 / Vanton Records)
(Reissued by Kalita Records)

Originally privately released in 1980 on Vanton Records, the London-based label Kalita Records released the first ever official reissue of the holy grail of disco twelve-inch singles in Vance & Suzzanne’s “I Can’t Get Along Without You”. The track was written and produced by two members of the now legendary group Crown Heights Affair in Richard Vance Turner and Eleton Johns, while also featuring former Sister Sledge backing singer Suzzanne Slaughter. Recorded in one day, the original plan was to re-record it with additional production and strings, however due to it’s initial success with DJs like Larry Levan, the re-recording was put on ice. Thanks to the good people at Kalita, this monster dance floor cut is now available again, and notably repackaged, for a whole new generation to enjoy (and mostly to dance to!). 

 
 

5. Free Youth — ‘We Can Move’ 12″
(Originally Released: 1985 / self-released)
(Reissued by Soundway)

Originally self-released in 1985, Soundway reissued the highly sought-after single “We Can Move” from Free Youth,  which is considered the first known hip-hop single to come out of Ghana. Released slightly prior to the emergences of the regions hip-life movement (hip-hop meets highlife), this track blends together early American-influenced hip-hop and boogie with Afro-funk and tropical highlife grooves. Recorded by brothers Terry “Sir Robot” Bright and Abednego “King Abed” Ayim Bright and their friend Lenny “Nii Addy” Dimple, the music was heavily inspired by some of the sounds that they were hearing coming out the states like Sugarhill Gang, Shalamar, Kool & The Gang, Cameo, and Rick James.

 
 

4. Azwon — ‘Paradise Island’
(Originally released: 1980 / JBF Records)
(Reissued by Pressure Makes Diamonds)

Respected vinyl collector, selector, and Mr Bongo family member Gary Johnson started a new reissues label in Pressure Makes Diamonds. Their first release was the impossible-to-find 1980 jazz-funk twelve-inch single Paradise Island from Florida’s Azwon. Azwon was a group of student friends that all attended Florida State University college in Tallahassee featuring Reggie Jahn (keyboards/synthesizer and vocals), Jamie Baker (bass), John Finn (guitar, vocals), Dave Antonacci (drums), Matt Pugliesi (percussion), Penny Lang (lead vocals), and Steve Gambrell (piano, vocals). They often performed on campus, as well as a nearby spot called ‘Tommy’s Night Club,’ who’s owner Tommy Schmick contributes to the track’s flute solo. The track is brilliant mix of jazz instrumentation, soulful vocals, and funky rhythms. 

 
 

3. Wendell Harrison & The Tribe – ‘Farewell To The Welfare’
(Originally released: 1975 / Tribe Records)
(Reissued by Clap City Records)

Just recently, the London-based independent label Clap City Records reissued the 7inch version of the highly-obscure 1975 jazz-funk classic ‘Farewell To The Welfare’ by Wendell Harrison and the legendary Detroit Tribe collective. This extremely well-crafted reissue celebrates one of Harrison’s most notable recordings, and features some of the most prolific members of the Tribe crew including trombonist Phil Ranelin, pianist Harold McKinney, bassist Lopez Leon, drummer George Davidson and many others. Limited to just 300 numbered copies, the record comes with a special edition Tribe sticker and a 28-page zine featuring photos and information detailing Wendell’s journey, and the beginnings of the Detroit collective.

 
 

2. Zé Roberto — ‘Lotus 72 D’
(Originally released: 1973 / RCA)
(Reissued by 2019 / Mr Bongo)

As Mr Bongo celebrated 30 years in 2019, the label/record shop released a number of incredible reissues. One of those releases was a 7inch of Zé Roberto’s 1973 Brazilian holy grail Lotus 72 D. The song “Lotus 72 D” is a tribute to São Paulo-based automobile racing driver Emerson Fittipaldi, who won the Brazilian Formula 1 championship in 1972. The single features two versions of the track, the originally recorded “normal speed” version, and the pitched up version that originally appeared on the outstanding 2001 Via Brazil compilation.

 
 

1. Don Blackman — ‘Just Can’t Stay Away’
(Originally released: 2002 / Expansion)
(Reissued by Melodies International)

The London-based Melodies International label, run by Floating Points (Sam Shepherd) and Red Greg, have released a new 7inch single featuring the previously under-the-radar early 2002 DIY-boogie gem “Just Can’t Stay Away” from jazz-funk legend Don Blackman. The early-80s boogie sounding track was originally featured on Blackman’s second and final album Listen, which released on CD format only and was dedicated to his family. Even though the track was recorded during the same session as the album, it was never intended to be officially released. Blackman wrote and recorded the song as a greeting for his wife’s answering machine. His wife successfully convinced him to include the track on the record. In 2018, Shepherd dropped the track during a set not knowing Blackman’s two kids were in the audience. The two parties connected and now a year later, the first official vinyl issue of the DIY-boogie gem has been released. The new 7inch release features a remastered version of the track, and comes with a 14’x14’ limited-edition poster. 

 

MORE RECOMMENDED REISSUES WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Shahid Wheeler — ‘Just One Dance Before You Go’ (Melodies International)
George & Glen Miller — ‘Easing’ (Soundway)
Nonato & Seu Conjunto/ José Roberto — ‘Cafua/ Crioula Multicolorida’ (Mr Bongo)
Henry Turner’s Crystal Band — ‘Music’ (Kalita Records)
Scorpio & His People — ‘The Unforgiven / Theme From Movietown Sound’ (Ubiquity Recordings)

• Best of
• Reissue