Soul, funk, and disco represent three of the most joyful, physical, and emotionally direct genres in the history of recorded music. They share a common DNA — rooted in the Black American experience, built on rhythm and groove, and designed to move bodies as much as minds. On vinyl, they sound extraordinary: the warmth of a Motown original, the snap of a rare funk 45, the sheer euphoria of a classic disco 12-inch pressed loud and wide.
This guide is for collectors at every level — whether you're chasing original pressings or simply want to build a collection that sounds incredible on a Sunday morning. We've organised it by era and genre, with specific recommendations and a few tips on what to look for when you're digging.
Soul: The Foundation
American soul music of the 1960s and early 1970s is the bedrock of the collection. Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and a constellation of smaller labels produced some of the most perfectly crafted pop music ever recorded. On original vinyl, these records have a presence and warmth that reissues rarely match.
- Marvin Gaye – What's Going On — The greatest soul album ever made, and one of the greatest albums in any genre. An original Tamla pressing is a serious collector's item; the early UK Tamla Motown pressing is more accessible and sounds superb.
- Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You — Her Atlantic debut and the record that changed everything. Raw, powerful, and utterly commanding.
- Otis Redding – Otis Blue — Recorded in a single day at Stax Studios. Every track is a masterclass in emotional directness.
- Al Green – Let's Stay Together — Hi Records at its most lush and seductive. Willie Mitchell's production is a masterpiece of restraint.
- Curtis Mayfield – Superfly — The soundtrack that transcended its film. Mayfield's falsetto and social commentary make this one of the essential records of the 1970s.
Funk: The Groove Merchants
Funk took soul's rhythmic foundation and pushed it to the extreme — tighter, harder, more percussive, with the bass and drums locked into a groove that demands physical response. The great funk records are among the most sampled in history, which tells you everything about their influence.
- James Brown – Sex Machine — The Godfather at his most elemental. The live version on King Records is the one to find.
- Sly & the Family Stone – There's a Riot Goin' On — Dark, fractured, and unlike anything else. The record that showed funk could be introspective as well as celebratory.
- Parliament – Mothership Connection — George Clinton's cosmic funk masterpiece. Outrageous, inventive, and irresistibly groovy.
- Funkadelic – Maggot Brain — The opening guitar solo is one of the most extraordinary moments in rock or funk. A genuinely unique record.
- Kool & the Gang – Wild and Peaceful — Often overlooked in favour of their later pop hits, but this 1973 album is pure, hard funk at its finest.
- Meters – Rejuvenation — New Orleans funk at its most sophisticated. The Meters are the most sampled band in history for good reason.
Rare Funk 45s: The Collector's Holy Grail
For serious collectors, the real treasure lies in the world of rare funk 45s — regional releases on small labels that never made it to album format. Artists like Bobby Byrd, Lyn Collins, Fred Wesley, and dozens of lesser-known acts recorded extraordinary singles that now command significant prices. If you're new to this area, start with the James Brown's Funky People compilation series on Polydor — an affordable introduction to the extended Brown universe.
Disco: Bigger, Louder, Better on Vinyl
Disco gets a bad press in some quarters, but the best disco records are extraordinary productions — meticulously arranged, brilliantly played, and designed to sound incredible on a large sound system. The 12-inch single was invented for disco, and the format remains the definitive way to hear this music.
- Chic – Risqué — Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards at their peak. 'Good Times' is the greatest disco record ever made, and the album that surrounds it is nearly as good.
- Donna Summer – Bad Girls — Giorgio Moroder's production is a masterclass in studio craft. The double album format gives the music room to breathe.
- Gloria Gaynor – Love Tracks — 'I Will Survive' needs no introduction, but the album it anchors is a consistently strong piece of late-70s disco.
- Sister Sledge – We Are Family — Another Chic production, and one of the most joyful records ever made.
- Cerrone – Supernature — French cosmic disco at its most ambitious. The title track runs to over nine minutes and doesn't waste a second.
What to Look for When Buying
- Original pressings — For soul and funk, US originals on Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and King are the benchmark. UK pressings on the same labels (or licensed equivalents like Tamla Motown and Atlantic UK) are excellent and more affordable.
- Pressing weight — Many 1970s soul and funk records were pressed on heavier vinyl than their later reissues. Heavier pressings generally sound better and are more durable.
- 12-inch singles for disco — Always prioritise the 12-inch over the 7-inch for disco. The extended mixes were designed for the format and sound significantly better.
- Condition grading — A VG+ copy of a sought-after soul record is worth considerably more than a VG. Be realistic about condition when buying and selling.
We stock over 2,200 soul, funk, and disco titles — from affordable compilations to original pressings of genuine rarity. Our stock is updated regularly, so it's worth checking back if you don't find what you're looking for first time.