Shipley | Likean art gallery | Rob Sevier

Likean art gallery, the label frequently enlists a guest “curator” for itsreleases. The Capsoul disc was conceived by Chicago DJ and recordcollector Rob Sevier, who’s since joined Shipley and Lunt as part ofthe team. The three men regularly spend time digging in the record binsof junk shops for ideas. “People want music that’s slightly off thebeaten path,” says Shipley. “They just don’t know how to find it. Whatwe’ve done is do the work for you. We make cool records for people whodon’t have the time to go and search for this stuff.”

Now averaging half a dozen titles per year, their most recent spate of discs includes Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies from the Canyon — a compilation of private press recordings made by a cast of female folk artists in the early ’70s — and Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal,a set of obscure funk-inspired ’70s gospel sides. “More than anything,”says Shipley, “the goal is to save these recordings to show that thisstuff really is worthwhile art. We just try and treat the reissues withthe same love and respect people put into making the music in the firstplace.”