Various

Mainstream Funk is the kind of compilation that reminds serious collectors why reissue culture matters. Curated by Wewantsounds from the vaults of Bob Shad’s Mainstream Records, this set focuses on 1971–1975 and uncovers a superb crossroads of jazz-funk, soul-jazz, spiritual jazz, and deep groove played by first-rate musicians. Despite the title, the music is anything but generic: Sarah Vaughan, Buddy Terry, Blue Mitchell, LaMont Johnson, Johnny Coles and others bring sophistication, bite, and improvisational depth to tracks that are funky enough for DJs but rich enough for dedicated listening at home. Many selections were long overlooked and some were returning to vinyl for the first time since their original era, which makes this release especially attractive for crate-diggers who want more than the obvious classics. With strong liner-note context and beautifully sequenced sides, Mainstream Funk is a superb entry point into a lesser-known catalog and a seriously satisfying double-LP for jazz and groove devotees.