Rare Groove & Related Music Links & Resources

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Rare Groove & Deep Funk

Funk45.com--Deep Funk, Soul, and Rare Groove in Real Audio: THE BEST! Formerly known as Dizzibeat.com, this site has grown into one of the premiere Rare Groove stops on the Web and I'm proud to recommend it to you. Webmaster Andy's amazing domain features great design, simple navigation, and over 1000 super funky rare groove sound clips in Real Audio. Outstanding!
The Black Hole of Funky Music: This is the ultimate rare groove collectors' dream site. Collector Peter Wermelinger has information and album & single scans of thousands of obscure funk and soul treasures. Massive!!
Bold Soul Sisters: Here's another one of my little web pages and it's totally dedicated to the "unsung heroines of funk, soul, disco, and rare groove who are difficult to find on the web." Features audio, bios, and mini-tributes to artists like Linda Clifford, Maxayn, Sylvia, Lyn Collins, Valerie Simpson, Minnie Riperton, Betty Davis, and more and more.
DeepFunk.Org: UK-based site is dedicated not just to rare groove music, but also its artists, DJs, and fans. You'll dig checking out the funk 45 gallery, interviews with people like Timothy "Funky Movement" McNealy, and listings of rare groove events all over the globe.
Funky 16 Corners: A most righteous web-zine featuring funky 45 audio, crazy incredible interviews with the most obscure of artists, and record collector-friendly features on Philly Sounds, Organ Grooves and Eddie Bo. Plus there's a blog with shorter, more regular commentary. Excellent.
Funky Stuff: The James Brown Homepage: At long last, a site that does justice to the kingdom of Soul Brother #1. This high quality page has all the goods on James Brown, plus JBs Jabo Starks, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Sweet Charles, Jimmy Nolen and Bobby Byrd!
Soul Generation: Excellent site by Martin Lawrie devoted to "crate digging, bargain basement 45's, rare funk and soul, mod jazz, soul food cookery, art, hip hop and whatever else we are feelin." Plus a comprehensive guide to rare groove 'n deep funk nights happening regularly worldwide!
Soul Strut: Dedicated to "Crate Digging DJ & Hip Hop Culture." Soul Strut is a massive, all-encompassing webzine for cats with a funky state of mind. Features include tons of rare groove audio and DJ sets, message board, etc.This site is for you if you dig heavy beats, 70s funk, hip hop, rock, jazz and more.
Sugarhill: Listen to all kinds of late 70s-early 80s party funk here, not just Sugarhill (though there's plenty of that too). Scans of album and 12" single covers. Just click on the "Old Schools" links.

Sites of Related Interest

DJSoulSister.Blogspot.com - My Blog: I've got stuff on my mind; read about it. Includes all my Hurricane Katrina experiences and reflections.
Blaxploitation.Com: Highly informational "soulful tribute" to my favorite kinda flicks -- blaxploitation and black B-movies of the 70s. Features a large movie listing with descriptions, plus info on books, news, posters, soundtracks, and more about the genre. A wonderful site.
Disco Inferno: "Keep the fire burning" with profiles on rare disco DJs, remixers, and artists. A great site that focuses on obscure underground dance classics.
Discomusic.Com: The ultimate in disco decadence. This is not a site for lightweights. If your idea of disco is the Bee-Gees, then this site is not for you. If you realize the importance of labels like Prelude, Salsoul and WestEnd, producers/remixers/DJs like Larry Levan, Patrick Adams, & Kenton Nix, and have a need for long 12" versions of songs in your life, then visit this site now. Tons of Real Audio and album graphics too!
Dolemite.Com: Visit the king of Blaxploitation and all his friends here at this unofficial site. There's also a serious online database of Blaxploitation flicks. And where else are you gonna hear the theme to The Human Tornado!
Go-Go Music -- Take Me Out to the Go-Go Magazine: Right-on resource all about Washington DC's own funk bomb -- i.e. go-go music. Even though it enjoyed its national heyday in the early-mid 80s, go-go is still going strong. Learn about go-go's background plus classic and current artists at this site, and then check out all of the other go-go links that are provided.

And when you're finished checking out the TMOTTGoGo Page, click the graphic below to listen to WTGO to hear this music for yourself, broadcast from DC and brought to you by TMOTTGoGo.
Go-Go Music -- Soldierette.com: A reliable source on the go-go scene and on Washington D.C. funk in general, Soldierette is the first and best place to go when you want to interact with others on the scene. Check her bulletin boards for The Word!
Good Times Music: Are you one of those people (like me) who try to figure out what music your favorite TV shows use? Well after several years of listening and learning, I was able to compile this incomplete list of funky music that was used on the 70s sitcom Good Times. It's part of a larger Good Times Online Scrapbook done by another Good Times fan.
Miss Funkyflyy's Web Pages: This Swedish music journalist has got the funk! Check out her space for all the goods on Salsoul records, the Bar-Kays, Jimmy "Bo" Horne, Gwen McCrae, and more!

Weekly Rare Groove Radio Shows (other than mine!)

A red asterisk (^*) indicates that the show can be listened to online.

Mondays

^*The Dollar Bin (KZSU FM, Stanford, California): Specializes in "every kind of funky music," from jazz, Afro-groove and Latin Soul to boogaloo, blues, hip hop, and soundtracks. And of course funk. Hosted by the Dead Kenny-Gs.

Saturdays

^*Galactic Fractures (WMFO FM, Massachusetts): Features rare groove and "deep raw funk." Shows are archived. Hosted by PJ Gray.

Other Rare Groove/Deep Funk Club DJs

Here's a new section to give props to my fellow brothers and sister funk collectors and party rockers. Email me if you wanna trade links. I've been bad at keeping the list up in the past, but I'll be better, I promise!

DJ Medi4 - Los Angeles, CA: Honestly, DJ Medi4 can do it all - and he does from blues to rock and from small clubs to Jam Cruises. But don't sleep on his hard soul mixes - they'll have you breaking out in a cold sweat.
DJ Motion Potion - San Francisco, CA: Robbie aka Motion Potion is the mega-purveyor of all things funky in the Bay Area. He spins from coast to coast, holds down a number of old school funk nights and promotes huge funk-friendly concerts and special events.
DJ Sims - NYC: Check out this right on lady who spins the good groove at venues all over New York City. Specialties include funky soul, jazz funk, latin jazz, afrobeat and much more.
Mr. Soul Satisfaction - Los Angeles, CA: This super soulful DJ holds down a number of successful DJ nights for the party people in Cali who love Northern Soul and rare groove funky sounds. He also runs the "Northern Soul Circle" webring.

Online Rare Groove Merchants

The rare groove merchants listed below are not listed in any particular order. The city where each store is located follows each description in parentheses, but all stores have online catalogs and ordering. Check them out to get your grooves wherever you may be.

Small Time Hustle: Hey, it's our friend Tony from Philly and AEIOU beats with his sale items. This super good cat travels all over for funky finds that he give good homes to. Check the hip hop, jazz and funk selections sold at super reasonable prices because it's all about the love. Plus LP cover scans! Ebay friendly.
Dusty Groove America: You can find tons of what I play on Soul Power right here. Service and selection is impeccable. They describe each title. And there's plenty for those of you who prefer CDs to vinyl. (Chicago)
Seth Spins: Dealer Seth's "primary interest is in collecting rare pieces of wax for beat-digging purposes." He has now made his collection available to you so check him out. The site has a limited selection of vinyl, but clean layout and cool prices. Plus he has very positive Ebay customer feedback! Trade inquiries are welcome here. (San Francisco)
DT Records: Visit "Black & Dance Music Specialist" Des Toussaint's domain for a gigantic selection of titles divided by 12 inches, albums, and 45s. Some of the amazing pieces I spotted were The Rhythm Makers' (later GQ) Soul on your Side and Simtec & Wylie's Gettin' Over the Hump. Great common pieces as well. (U.K.)
Dave's Records: Not a store, but a collector devoted to spreading and selling the groove at low prices for fellow collectors. There's always great stuff to be found so check often.
21st Century Music: This store specializes in rare disco, funk, R&B, classic hip hop, and lots and lots of 12" singles you thought you'd never again. There are a few rare groove-y pieces too. Huge inventory. I strongly recommend other dance, R&B, funk, etc. DJs to visit this site. (Hey, hip hop people, get a load of the pic of Newcleus on page "N"!) (New Jersey)
Platterpus Records: Mostly common pieces, but quite a bit of treasures mixed in. Plus this site is easy both to look at and navigate through. Search engine available. (Kentucky)
Soul-A-Go-Go: Nice selection, especially if you like Northern Soul and groovy mod jazz. Since 1996. (UK)
Luv 'N Haight (Ubiquity Records): This is actually a label that reissues older rare grooves. I highly recommend all their products. I play them all the time. (San Francisco)
Craig Moerer Records By Mail: There isn't an online catalog here, but you can download their catalog for off-line searching or just use their online search engine. Don't forget to sign up to recieve his Funk/Soul catalogs. You won't believe what you'll find! (Oregon)
The Black Hole of Funky Music: This page is not for half-steppers! You won't believe your eyes when you see the pieces here. They don't come cheap, but isn't it worth it? Webmaster Peter Wermelinger has got the funk you want! Want lists too.

Is there a record store that you'd like to see here that sells vinyl online and mainly specializes in rare groove and deep funk? E-mail me at soulsister@djsoulsister.com and tell me about it!

Submit a Site/Exchange Links

Submit other related rare groove links to me at soulsister@djsoulsister.com or fill out the form on my contact page.

If you have a radio show link, the program must feature rare groove music and be broadcast from either non-commercial community or college radio, or online. Also, include in your message the host's name(s), city/country the broadcast originates from, whether or not the show can be heard online, what radio station the show is on, AM or FM band, and any other relevant info. Thanks.