Feeling Good: Funk Soul & Deep Jazz Gems / Various

Wewantsounds present Feeling Good, a compilation of rare spiritual jazz and funk grooves culled from legendary producer Bob Shad's Mainstream Records. The compilation features insightful sleeve notes by filmmaker Judd Apatow (who is Bob Shad's grandson), supervised by Matt Robin. Alice Clark's cult classic "Never Did I Stop Loving You" is featured here alongside many gems uncovered for the first time on this compilation, all remastered from the original tapes. From working with music titans such as Charlie Parker and Lightnin' Hopkins in the '40s, founding the EmArcy jazz label in the '50s, and discovering Janis Joplin in the '60s, Bob Shad has had an incredible influence. This handpicked selection gives you a little taster for the diversity of Bob Shad's sound from the early '70s when he turned to deep and soulful jazz alongside labels like Flying Dutchman and Strata East. Drenched in modal Fender Rhodes keys, spiritual sax and flute solos, deep percussions and funky beats, these albums have slowly been rediscovered by a new generation of DJs, hip hop producers and vinyl junkies all around the world. From Afrique's cult classic "House Of The Rising Funk" and it's funky wah-wah frenzy to Hadley Caliman's deep jazz flute ode; From one of Clark Terry's famous "Mumbles" (Shad produced the original with Oscar Peterson) to Jack Wilkins's "Red Clay", sampled by both A Tribe Called Quest and Chance The Rapper. A soul music lover, Shad also excelled in soul divas and produced Ellerine Harding, Maxine Weldon and of course the mighty Alice Clark. To close the compilation in style, Carmen McRae, one of Shad's long time collaborators, gives a soulful, conga-led version of the classic "Feelin' Good", a song made famous by Nina Simone. It's a superb minimalist version showcasing the unique sound of Bob Shad, a passionate, spirited, and fiercely independent record producer who lived for the music. Features: Afrique, Blue Mitchell, Sarah Vaughan, Art Farmer, Shelly Manne, Alice Clark, Buddy Terry, Maxine Weldon, Barry Miles, Jack Wilkins, Clark Terry, Ellerine Harding, Hadley Caliman, and Carmen McRae.