Cecil Lyde – Stone Free

Stone Free was the only album to be released by funk and soul specialist Cecil Lyde in 1980, and its sumptuous body of songs immediately takes hold upon first spin. Originally released with the short-lived Californian label Aladdin Records, Chicago-native Lyde created an album of uncompromising modern soul and boogie that has an urgency to entertain. Title track “Stone Free (Freaks With Me)” is a bold opener with percussion laced like a whip, and active bass melodies complementing Lyde’s falsetto harmonies. Another highlight, “Money’s Funny” doubles down on intricate percussion and bass eccentricities, driving home inspired funk hooks and untapped pleasures. P-VINE is thrilled to be reissuing Stone Free under its groove-diggers imprint with an iconic Japanese obi strip.