Soul Jazz Records Presents: Studio One Funk 2LP (Clear Vinyl)

Soul Jazz Records celebrate 25 years of working in partnership with Studio One with 2026 editions of FIVE of their best-selling CLASSIC Studio One collections all released on limited edition one-off pressing colored double vinyl.

The special limited edition featured albums are Studio One Funk, Studio One Dub, Studio One Ska, Studio One Roots and Studio One Classics.

Studio One Funk is made up of rare and unreleased reggae funk from the vaults of Studio One.

Ever since the birth of funk in America, the sound has been an ever-present ingredient in the melting pot of Studio One's musical output.

The music here is a combination of originals and USA soul and funk covers. Jackie Mittoo shows his appreciation for Booker T and the MGs, the studio group at Memphis' famous Stax Records, with a previously unreleased version of "Hang Em High." Booker T's super-funky "Melting Pot" is also covered by the little-known Underground Vegetables.

Other covers include Isaac Hayes' classic "Shaft" by Cedric Brooks - another unreleased gem, straight from the master tapes. Motown gets a look in with Alton's stripped-down version of the Spinners' classic "It's a Shame," written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta.

James Brown is checked with the JBs-inspired rare groove of Lee Arab's "Now." Lloyd Williams similarly does a fine Kingston-style version of the hardest working man in show business on "Reggae Feet."

Version-wise, we have "Idleberg," Cedric Brooks tough instrumental cut to Horace Andy's seminal "Skylarking." Pablove Black's cut of "Sidewalk Doctor" (A/K/A "Poco Tempo") is one of a handful of Studio One releases featuring Augustus Pablo's trademark instrument, the melodica, played by Black himself.

Add to these original cuts from Studio One's heavyweight session players including Leroy Sibbles, Jackie Mittoo, Eric Frater, Richard Ace, Vin Gordon and more and you have one of the finest selections of reggae and funk you will ever hear.

This collection goes deep into the Brentford Road vaults and unearths a rake of previously unreleased gems alongside hard to find classics. Heavy and inspirational, totally unique and essentially timeless.

An absolute treasure trove for the collector as well as being great for the ears and feet. Jackie Mittoo's 'Hang Em High' is worth the price of the album on its own.

A superb collection that shows how much many Jamaican musicians were influenced by the heavy funk belting out of American studios from the early seventies onwards.

The most satisfying listening experience so far in the Studio One series.

Rare and unreleased grooves from Jamaica's house of excellence.