TERRIFIC TWOSOME!

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German labels TRAMP and PERFECT TOY are each releasing new compilations in September and collectors of the rare and esoteric will know from the labels’ pedigrees that the albums will be worth checking out.

First out from Tramp is the fourth volume of ‘Praise Poems’… the label’s look at the world of deep, atmospheric , rare soul, jazz and funk. Most of the artist names (people like Michael Dues, Bill Osborn, Ruth Martin and the Three Souls) will mean little or nothing to anyone save the ultra anorak but that doesn’t make their contribution any less relevant. Most of the tunes appear on CD for the very first time, but if vinyl’s your thing the album also comes in a double vinyl set (with the usual download card). ‘Praise Poems 4’ is released on Tramp Rerecords on 2nd September.

1dwThat’s the same date for Perfect Toys’ 17 track ‘Down And Wired’ which the label describes as a “collection of mod groovers and northern stompers, funky bumps and Latin heaters!” Like the Tramp set the artists are largely the great unknowns but some great music and plenty of surprises like Dirty Martha’s version of the Zombies’ ‘She’s Not There’ or the Noteables rough and ready look at the Temptations’ ‘Get Ready’. Like ‘Praise Poems’, ‘Down and Wired’ comes in CD and vinyl.