K
A Man In Love
A2 Together We Can Do Anything K. Floyd 2:20)
A3 Heartaches (K. Floyd, L. Milton 2:40)
A4 You've Been Good To Me, Thank You (K. Floyd, L. Milton 2:16)
A5 Take The Place Of A Dying Man (K. Floyd 2:37)
B1 This Is Our Last Night Together (K. Floyd, M. Rebennack 2:38)
B2 You Got The Love I Need (K. Floyd, L. Milton 2:30)
B3 Love Ain't What It Used To Be (K. Floyd, L. Milton 2:31)
B4 I Can't Get Enough Of Your Love (K. Floyd, L. Milton 2:36)
B5 Groov-A-Lin (K. Floyd, M. Rebennack 2:30)
Label: Pulsar Records – AR-10602
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
A Man in Love is the debut studio album by the American soul singer-songwriter King Floyd, released in 1969 on the Pulsar record label. The album did not receive much attention at the time of its initial release.
Primarily a Soul album, with pop-oriented elements, it was produced with Harold Battiste in Los Angeles and featured songs co-written with fellow New Orleans musician Mac Rebennack (Dr. John).
In 1971 Motown Records re-released the album under the title Heart of the Matter on their V.I.P. label. The LP was the last album released on the V.I.P. label.
Blue Moods
Written By – G. Ingram/K. Stevens 5.22
A2 Spend The Night
Written-By – K. Stevens 6.48
A3 Shine
Written-By – K. Stevens, R, Anderson 4.41
B1 Night Moves
Written-By – A. Sojka 5.40
B2 Passionate
Written-By – K. Stevens, R. Anderson 6.00
B3 Too Much Too Soon
Written-By – A. Sojka, K. Stevens, R. Morrison 5.04
B4 Cannot Live Without Your Love 4.52
Written-By – K. Stevens
Label: Jam Today – KENI LP1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul
Keni Stevens' debut album, Blue Moods, is a 1987 UK soul/jazz-funk record known for its smooth, captivating sound and sophisticated production by Andy Sojka. The album has been described as a "lifestyle record" that blends R&B influences with a Caribbean syncopation, appealing across the UK.
Blue Moods is a standout release in the UK soul scene of the late eighties. The album is often described by fans as "soothing and captivating". Stevens himself has noted that the album was very much a reflection of the 80s environment and his life at the time, indicative of the soulful sounds popular during that era.
The album received significant public and critical acclaim upon its release in 1987 on the Jam Today label, following the success of its 12-inch singles.
The most high-profile track on the album is the sultry, mid-tempo ballad "Cannot Live Without Your Love". This single helped propel the album's success and was featured on several popular soul compilation albums.
Expanded editions of the album feature additional bonus and remix tracks. You can often find the track listing and purchase options on sites like Discogs or Amazon.
Kool and The Gang
Written-By – Kool And The Gang 2:59
A2 More Funky Stuff
Written-By – Kool And The Gang 2:52
A3 Jungle Boogie
Backing Vocals – Don Boyce
Written-By – Kool And The Gang, Ronald Bell 3:08
A4 Heaven At Once
Backing Vocals – Rory Bell
Written-By – Kool And The Gang, Robert Kool Bell, Ronald Bell 5:00
A5 Hollywood Swinging
Written-By – Kool And The Gang, Ricky West 4:35
B1 This Is You, This Is Me
Backing Vocals – Tomorrow's Edition
Written-By – George Brown, Kool And The Gang 5:23
B2 Life Is What You Make It
Written-By – Dennis Thomas, Kool And The Gang 3:54
B3 Wild And Peaceful
Written-By – Kool And The Gang, Ronald Bell 9:30
Label: De-Lite Records – DEP-2013
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Funk, Seventies Soul
Kool & The Gang's 1973 album Wild And Peaceful is widely considered a classic and essential work of 70s funk, praised for its infectious grooves, strong instrumentation, and the seamless blend of funk, soul, and jazz elements. It was a commercial breakthrough for the band and includes several of their most iconic hits.
Critics and fans generally agree that Wild And Peaceful captures Kool & The Gang at their raw, "street funk" peak before their later, more polished pop-soul era. The album is highly regarded for its ability to deliver danceable, high-energy funk while also showcasing the band's musical maturity and jazz fusion roots.
The album is often cited as a definitive 70s funk record, ranking alongside works by artists like Parliament/Funkadelic, War, and the Commodores. Reviewers from sources like JazzMusicArchives.com note the music is raw, urban, and made for dancing.
Reviewers praise the band's versatility, noting the tight, sharp horn sections and excellent guitar and bass work. The album successfully bridges the gap between their early jazz background and a committed funk sound.
Wild And Peaceful was a major commercial breakthrough, featuring three hit singles: "Funky Stuff", "Jungle Boogie", and "Hollywood Swinging". These tracks are consistently highlighted as some of the best funk songs ever recorded.
The album is structured around a "wild" side (the funk hits) and a "peaceful" side (the jazzier, more atmospheric tracks), a concept that is appreciated by some for its contrast.
Standout Tracks:
"Jungle Boogie": Frequently described as a masterpiece and one of the best funk tracks of all time, known for its iconic, driving groove and growly vocals from roadie Don Boyce.
"Hollywood Swinging": Praised for its catchy groove, festive atmosphere, and lead vocals by keyboardist Ricky Westfield, it was the band's first R&B number one hit.
"Funky Stuff": A simple, catchy, high-energy track with great percussion and horn arrangements.
"Wild & Peaceful" (title track): The closing, 9.5-minute instrumental track is noted as a jazz-fusion excursion that harks back to the band's jazz roots, featuring excellent solos on flute and saxophone and a serene, dynamic quality.
Overall, Wild And Peaceful is an essential listen for funk enthusiasts, offering a blend of hard-hitting dance tracks and more experimental, jazz-infused pieces that showcase the band's instrumental prowess.
Make Time For Love
Producer, Arranged By – Jon Nettlesbey, Terry Coffey 4:20
2 Make The Time For Love
Producer, Arranged By – Jon Nettlesbey, Terry Coffey 5:46
3 Kissing You
Producer, Arranged By – Keith Washington, Trey Stone 4:53
4 Are You Still In Love With Me
Producer, Arranged By – Barry J. Eastmond 5:07
5 When You Love Somebody
Producer – Laney Stewart 4:42
6 Ready, Willing And Able
Producer – Laney Stewart 4:55
7 I'll Be There
Producer, Arranged By – Barry J. Eastmond 4:48
8 When It Comes To You
Producer, Arranged By – Barry J. Eastmond 4:44
9 Lovers After All
Producer – Paul Laurence 4:47
10 Closer
Producer, Arranged By – Keith Washington, Trey Stone 5:01
Label: Qwest Records – 7599-26528-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1991
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B
Keith Washington's 1991 debut album, Make Time for Love, was a resplendent showcase for his rich vocals, featuring the iconic Grammy-nominated ballad "Kissing You," which became his signature, alongside other strong tracks like "When You Love Somebody," earning praise for excellent production and smooth R&B/soul style reminiscent of Luther Vandross, solidifying his place as a notable balladeer of the era.
Reviewers consistently praised Washington's captivating voice, smooth delivery, and masterful use of vibrato, comparing him favorably to Luther Vandross.
The album spawned the massive hit "Kissing You," a soulful classic that topped R&B charts, plus other popular singles like "When You Love Somebody" and the title track, pushing the album to Gold status.
The arrangements and production were described as excellent, perfectly complementing Washington's vocals and fitting the smooth R&B sound of the early 90s.
The album blended classic R&B and soul, offering a "relaxing aural experience" and showcasing a timeless quality that still resonates today, despite being a product of its time.
Make Time for Love established Washington as a promising new voice in R&B, with "Kissing You" remaining a definitive track in his career.
Fans and critics widely regarded Make Time for Love as a strong debut, celebrated for its romantic themes, superb musicianship, and Keith Washington's impressive vocal performance, making it a beloved album in the smooth R&B/soul genre.
The Soul Of Me
Written-By – I. and G. Gershwin 2:15
A2 Time After Time
Written-By – Cahn - Styne 2:37
A3 Hello Lover, Goodbye Tears
Written-By – Ott 2:43
A4 Lonely People Do Foolish Things
Written-By – Snyder, Ahlert 3:07
A5 I Want To Be Happy
Written-By – Caesar, Youmans 2:50
A6 It's The Talk Of The Town
Written-By – Neiberg, Livingston, Symes 2:27
B1 When Day Is Done
Written-By – DeSylva, Katscher 2:28
B2 Look For Me (I'll Be Around)
Written-By – Wood, Dee 3:02
B3 We've Come A Long Way
Written By – Segal, Wells 2:22
B4 Sweet Torture
Written-By – Chase 2:36
B5 Gotta Be This Or That
Written-By – Skylar 2:33
B6 You Can Have Him
Written-By – Cook 2:26
Label: RCA Victor – LPM-2945
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Country: US
Released: 1964
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Jazz, Soul
The Soul of Me is Ketty Lester's debut full-length album with RCA Victor, showcasing her transition toward a more R&B-oriented vocal jazz style.
The album is widely regarded as a "mellow blend of jazz and soul". Reviews highlight Lester's "rich, creamy voice" and emotive delivery, often comparing her vocal sophistication to that of Nancy Wilson and Dinah Washington, though with less emphasis on the blues.
Critics praise her "superb and emotive voice" and her ability to capture feelings of "longing and unrequited love".
The album features polished, larger-scale backings typical of 1960s RCA productions.
The album maintains solid community ratings, including a 3.32/5 on Rate Your Music (ranked #615 for 1964) and a 4/5 average on Discogs.
Released following her massive 1962 hit "Love Letters," The Soul of Me was one of two albums she recorded for RCA. While it did not match the commercial height of her earlier singles, it remains a "thoroughly enjoyable release" for collectors of vocal jazz and 1960s soul.
Today, vintage copies of the vinyl—both in mono and stereo—are sought after by collectors, typically priced between $20 and $25 for high-quality pressings.