We're living in an era of hyper-connectivity, where every factoid we could possibly imagine is just a quick Google away. But with this unquantifiable rolodex of information at our fingertips, it can be hard to remember that there are just as many pieces of history that have gone undocumented. This pool of un-Googleable data runs especially deep with music; part of the appeal of digging through crates of vinyl for audiophiles is the thrill of discovering something that has long been forgetten, or better yet something that most people never knew existed in the first place.

It's that spirit of sifting through the unknown and turning up undiscovered treasures that is at the heart of fledgling local label Secret Stash. In the past year they have reprinted a lost album by late-'60s soul singer Mickey Murray (and flew him into town for his first show in decades) and re-introduced Rufus Lumley's "Minneap'lis, Minnesota" to a new generation of area fans. 

This fall, Secret Stash will release their most ambitious project to date: Twin Cities Funk & Soul: Lost R&B Grooves from Minneapolis/St. Paul 1964-1979, A 21-track compilation that they say has been 50 years in the making. "Previously existing only on coveted 45 RPM and LP records, this music stems from a time when KUXL was the only station in the Twin Cities that had dedicated programming for the black community, and King Solomon's Mines was one of the only downtown clubs that regularly booked black bands," the label's founders said in a press release.

A release party has been scheduled for Saturday, September 22, at the Cedar Cultural Center, with another in-store performance planned on the album's release date, September 25, at Fifth Element.

There's a good chance we'll be spinning tracks from the compilation on the Local Show prior to the release, but for now sample the music in this trailer:

Here's the track listing:

1. The Valdons "All Day Long" 2:45
2. Maurice McKinnies & the Champions "Sock-A-Poo-Poo '69" (Part 1) 3:23
3. Jackie Harris & the Champions "Work Your Flapper" (Part 1) 2:52
4. Mojo and His Chi 4 "She's a Whole Lot's A Woman" 3:03
5. Dave Brady and the Stars "Ridin' High" 2:56
6. Wee Willie Walker "I Ain't Gonna Cheat On You No More" 2:31 
7. Wanda Davis "Save Me" 2:29
8. Jackie Harris & The Exciters "Get Funky, Sweet a Little Bit" 2:45
9. Wee Willie Walker "There Goes My Used to Be" 3:01
10. Wanda Davis "Take Care" 2:48
11. Maurice McKinnies & the Champions "Sweet Smell of Perfume" 2:40
12. Dave Brady & the Stars "Baby, Baby I Need You" 3:30
13. The Valdons "Love Me, Leave Me" 3:21
14. Willie and the Bees "Dipstick" 3:20
15. Morris Wilson "Rusty McDusty" 5:23
16. Band of Thieves "Thieves in the Funkhouse" 6:57
17. Prophets of Peace "You Can Be" 3:32
18. Morris Wilson "Saxaphone Disco" 3:40
19. Willie and the Bees "Honey from the Bee" 3:20
20. Prophets of Peace "The Maxx" 4:05
21. The Lewis Connection "Get Up" 6:55