Today, we're taking a look at an array of recent R&B/soul vinyl releases from Demon Music Group!

Demon has been home to Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus catalogue for years now, and after a comprehensive series of CD reissues, the label has turned its attention to vinyl.  Freda Payne's Contact was the Detroit songstress' second album for Invictus and a further showcase for her extraordinary vocal gifts.  Freda had already recorded for labels including ABC-Paramount and MGM when an old schoolmate, Brian Holland, approached her about becoming one of the very first artists for his new post-Motown venture with brother Eddie and Lamont Dozier.  Freda had recorded in jazz and pop idioms and starred on the Broadway stage but intuited that she would fit into H-D-H's burgeoning soul empire.  Contact followed her 1970 Invictus debut, the eternal Band of Gold (featuring the smash title track which crossed over mightily on the Pop side), in 1971.  It was an even more focused collection than its predecessor, and found producers H-D-H joined by distinguished arrangers H.B. Barnum, McKinley Jackson, and Tony Camilo.  Contact was filled with powerful and anthemic soul melodies that gave Payne ample chance to soar vocally and with tremendous versatility.  Yet one of its most famous songs - the poignant "Bring the Boys Home" - almost wasn't included on the LP.  When the non-LP side began to climb the charts, Invictus dropped "He's In My Life" from the tunestack and added "Bring the Boys Home."  This is the version of the album reissued by Demon.  Other album highlights include a dramatic opening suite of "It's Not Getting Any Better" and "Suddenly It's Yesterday," the storming floor-filler "You Brought the Joy," and the irresistible single "Cherish What Is Dear to You."  While Demon hasn't retained the original LP's gatefold cover, there's still much to admire in the striking cover and printed inner sleeve.  It's been pressed on black vinyl with replica labels, and completes the reissue campaign on vinyl of all three of Freda's Invictus long-players.

From H-D-H's Hot Wax imprint comes the sophomore LP from 100 Proof Aged in Soul.  Simply titled 100 Proof, it features nine slabs of deep Detroit soul.  The group had been founded in 1969 (and assembled for H-D-H's production company) and featured singers Joe Stubbs (brother of Four Tops' Levi and former member of The Falcons, Contours, and Originals), Steve Mancha (a.k.a. Clyde Wilson), and Eddie Anderson.  Their first album Somebody's Been Sleeping in My Bed was named for the million-selling crossover hit of nearly the same title ("Somebody's Been Sleeping"); the LP primarily consisted of single sides.  But by the time of 100 Proof, only Mancha was left as the group's lone lead voice.  Two years passed between the group's first and second albums, during which time one hit had been taken away from them ("She's Not Just Another Woman" was reissued in a different mix on Invictus credited to The 8th Day despite being the same vocal and track) and Stubbs and Anderson left the line-up.  When only Mancha was left, H-D-H rebuilt the group around him as a band rather than a vocal trio.  Guitarist Ron Bykowski, bassist Don Hatcher, percussionist Dave Case, and drummer Darnell Hagen were all featured on 100 Proof.  Mancha used his platform to shine, offering powerful leads on the dark "Everything Is Good Is Bad," the pretty "Nothing Sweeter Than Love," and even soul-drenched covers of The Bee Gees ("Words") and The Association ("Never My Love").  Produced by Greg Perry, General Johnson, and Ronald Dunbar and arranged by Barnum, Jackson, and Motown alumnus Paul Riser, 100 Proof remains a solid offering of hard-hitting, slow-burning soul stompers and ballads.  It's pressed on black vinyl with replica labels and a printed inner sleeve.

Demon has turned to the library of Chi-Sound Records for 1979's So Sexy from Sidney Joe Qualls (billed on the cover as "Sydney").  No, Sidney isn't the beautiful woman pictured on the album cover but rather a soul man from the Windy City with a heavy southern soul influence and a strong vocal resemblance to Al Green.  Before signing to 20th Century Fox-affiliated Chi-Sound, Qualls had recorded for Brunswick Records' Dakar imprint; at Chi-Sound he teamed up with producer Sonny Sanders (once of The Satintones) under the auspices of Chicago soul mainstay Carl Davis.  (Demon has previously reissued his lone Dakar LP, I Enjoy Loving You, on vinyl.)  Over just eight songs recorded in both Chicago and Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Qualls conjured up a brassy soul setting for the disco era with titles such as the throbbing "So Sexy," the sleek "Let the Woman Know," impassioned "I'll Run to Your Side," and a clutch of songs from songwriter and artist "Prince" Philip Mitchell including "I Don't Do This," "Bad Risk," and "Where Have You Been?"  As so little has been written about Qualls, liner notes would have been a significant addition to this otherwise superlative straight reissue featuring replica artwork and labels.  It isn't Al Green, but it's a remarkable simulation!

Willie Henderson's Dance with Willie Henderson: The Master hails from the Brunswick catalogue.  The Florida-born, Chicago-raised Henderson began playing the saxophone at a young age and in 1968 became leader of Brunswick's house band.  Working with Carl Davis, he played on, arranged, and produced records from such leading artists as Barbara Acklin, Tyrone Davis, and The Chi-Lites.  This 1974 album - an expanded version of 1970's Funky Chicken from Willie Henderson and The Soul Explosions - is loaded with tight and greasy grooves (see: "Loose Booty," sampled by The Beastie Boys, as well as the driving original "Off Into a Black Thing") as well as some surprises (a not too funkified version of The Archies' "Sugar, Sugar," one of a few tracks with vocals by a background group, and a pure instrumental of Bill Withers' "Harlem").  Henderson's musicianship is superb throughout, and he generously made ample room to show off his band's scorching guitar, bass, brass, percussion, and drums.  The cover of the LP, replicated here along with the original labels and artwork, suggests some dances to which the album could accompany.  These include The Bump, The Shuffle, The Cool Jerk, and of course, The Funky Chicken (which is included in two parts on the LP; Henderson's song is an original composition, not a cover of Rufus Thomas' "Do the Funky Chicken").  Whichever moves you prefer, The Master - aided and abetted by producers Carl Davis and Eugene Record and arrangers Tom Tom Washington and Gene Barge - will get you up and dancing with its loose party vibe.  It's pressed on black vinyl and features a new inner sleeve with credits.

All four titles lack remastering credits but sound warm and vibrant in these quiet vinyl pressings.  They're available now at the links below!

Freda Payne, Contact (Invictus SMAS-7307, 1971 - reissued Demon DEMREC679, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. I'm Not Getting Any Better
2. Suddenly It's Yesterday
3. You Brought the Joy
4. Bring the Boys Home
5. You've Got to Love Somebody (Let It Be Me)

Side Two

1. Prelude
2. The Road We Didn't Take
3. Odds and Ends
4. Cherish What Is Dear to You (While It's Near to You)
5. I Shall Not Be Moved
6. Mama's Gone

100 Proof Aged in Soul, 100 Proof (Hot Wax HA 712, 1972 - reissued Demon DEMREC610, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. Everything Good Is Bad
2. Since You Been Gone
3. Nothing Sweeter Than Love
4. Ghetto Girl

Side Two

1. Words
2. I Don't Care If I Never Get Over You
3. Don't Scratch Where It Don't Itch
4. Don't You Wake Me
5. Never My Love

Sydney Joe Qualls, So Sexy (20th Century Fox/Chi-Sound T-587, 1979 - reissued Demon DEMREC605, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. So Sexy
2. Let the Woman Know
3. I'll Run to Your Side
4. I Don't Do This

Side Two

1. Good Ol' Funky Music
2. Bad Risk
3. Where Have You Been
4. I Could Be So Good for You

Willie Henderson, Dance with Willie Henderson: The Master (Brunswick BL 754202, 1974 - reissued Demon DEMREC 604, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side One

1. Break Your Back
2. Soulful Football
3. Oo Wee Baby, I Love You
4. Can I Change My Mind
5. Funky Chicken (Part 1)
6. Windjammer

Side Two

1. Loose Booty
2. Sugar, Sugar
3. Off Into a Black Thing
4. Is It Something You've Got
5. Funky Chicken (Part 2)
6. Harlem