BBE Presents Americana: Rock Your Soul

British-based record label BBE are well known for releasing some of the most thought out compilations over the past 15 years or so. The many colloboraters and compilers have joined the dots between jazz, disco, soul, house and hip hop. Late last year they released two of my favourite compilations of 2010. The first was a retrospective by everyone's favourite radio DJ Gilles Peterson, showcasing the diversity and quality of music that he brings to his listeners from artists such as Roots Manuva, Jill Scott and Jose James. The second was a collection of Philly Soul Classics compiled by Dimitri from Paris featuring such classics as 'You Can't Hide From Yourself' by Teddy Pendergrass and 'The Love I Lost' from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes aswell as his own re-edits.

For their latest compilation, the selectors of Zafar Chowdhry and Mark Taylor have focused on shining 'a light on the darker corners of American pop culture', showcasing little or obscure artists who have been forgotten or never garnered the praise or exposure they deserve. Featuring mainly white musicians-though full of influences from African-American culture- this collection is full of the optimism of summertime in the United States and the music has roots in disco, jazz, R & B, funk and rock. What we are left with is a wonderful soundtrack to the summer.

The compilation drops on 4th July (quite apt I'd say) and can be ordered direct from the BBE store here or can be picked up at all good online outlets such as Piccadilly, Juno and Amazon.

For a little taster check out these lovely tracks below: -

Evans Pyramid-Never Gonna Leave You (download)



Life Force-Slow Dancer



Eric Tagg-Living Off The Love




Badadu-I Love Music (download)

No video or any trace of how you can listen to this tune online so I though I'd share it with you for a limited period only!