Daptone Records’ 100th 45 to Feature Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, More

Famed soul and funk label Daptone Records has just announced the release of its 100th 45rpm record, a collaboration between multiple members of its hefty roster of artists, including Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley and Naomi Shelton.

The A side, called “Hey Brother,” is a song by The Frightnrs, meant to be a tribute to singer Dan Klein, who died of ALS just before The Frightnrs released their album Nothing More to Say in 2016. The song also features Bradley, Jones, Shelton, Amayo, and Saun & Starr, among others.

Also part of the collaboration is the song “Soul Fugue” by the 100 Knights Orchestra, a massive ensemble of horn players—every one with whom Daptone has ever worked, including current and past members of The Dap-Kings, Antibalas, The Budos Band, Menahan Street Band, The Extraordinaires, The Soul Providers and The Daktaris—all crammed into one studio.

“‘Soul Fugue’ is an epic battle between two massive orchestral armies,” a press release explains. “From the left speaker, a battalion made up of all of Daptone’s many brass players is lead by the great Dave Guy on first trumpet to the beat of Dap-King legend Homer Steinweiss on drum set. From the right, all of their woodwind players charge into battle behind Ian Hendrickson-Smith on lead alto saxophone with Dap-Kings stage drummer Brian Wolfe pounding the kit.”

“What started as a thank you to the label’s beloved fans has now also become a loving tribute to their lost Brothers and Sister: Charles Bradley, Dan Klein, Cliff Driver, and our eternal Queen, Miss Sharon Jones,” the release adds.