(ThyBlackMan.com) When you think about soul and funk legends of the ‘70s and ‘80s, certain names dominate the headlines — but true music lovers know Carl Carlton belongs firmly in that conversation.

Abra dropped a new project this week titled Rose, and its lead single might be the most radio-friendly thing Awful Records has ever released, full of pretty, melismatic vocals and an easy bass groove.

Bootsy Collins and his star-shaped Space Bass rocketed into the funk-soul universe, first with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic and later with his own Bootsy’s Rubber Band. He'll be on hand Aug.