Various Artists

Colemine Records Presents Soul Slabs vol. 2

scum stats: there's three different pressings of this one, I'd suggest just getting anyone you can find, mine's of the first batch, #189

So this thing sat on my shelf for nearly five years before I finally unwrapped the sumbitch and threw the LPs on the turntable. A triple LP compilation of 45's all released on the same label, now that's some insanity that I can get behind.

If you don't know the Colemine stuff, in short, the most primo NEW soul sounds in the authentic, vintage style, up to snuff with the same style and approach as the Daptone label.

While everything included here is worth your time, I'll point out one song in particular that knocked my socks off. "N.U.S.A.U." is a percussion-heavy workout worth its weight in gold. I think the digital version is a slightly different mix, but either way, they both slay. The 2:55 mark in particular, shit goes off the rails in the best way possible, reminding me of my favorite version of "Run Shaker Life" that is always a good reason for living.

And supporting a small, homegrown label that nurtures and stewards a scene of this subculture (I'd say similar things about the Funk Night label in Detroit), well it's something we all should do more of.