Top 3: Twinight Records

My eyes always light up when I see the distinctive "T" of Chicago's Twinight label when digging through boxes of old 45s. Sadly, it usually turns out to be a common release by Syl Johnson, Twinight's only star performer, rather than one of the label's more sought-after rarities.

This remarkable little indie label, largely funded by Johnson's success – and also aided by his skills as a producer – was responsible for some of the best soul and funk 45s from a city positively brimming with them. But with such formidable competition, hits were hard to come by, and in 1972, after five years in business, Johnson left and the label folded, leaving a clutch of overlooked 45s that would eventually find their way into the hands of soul collectors many years later.

Scans of our pick of the label's output are included below, but honourable mentions must go to Main Squeeze by Nate Evans (a great record to kick-off a Saturday night), Wayward Dream by Annette Poindexter and Pieces of Peace (the Twinight house band) and, of course, Syl Johnson's genre classic, Is It Because I'm Black?.





Click to hear Satisfied

You can get the songs above, plus plenty of other choice cuts from the label, on Numero Group's superb compilation Twinight's Lunar Rotation (a reference to these criminally overlooked records largely being relegated to late-night local radio). Don't sleep!