Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Parliament-Funkadelic offshoot project Brides Of Funkenstein was masterminded by George Clinton but fronted by Lynn Mabry and Dawn Silva, whom originally served as the two core backing singers for Sly & The Family Stone. Funk Or Walk was their cyber-augmented opening statement as a duo, combining archly histrionic vocals with truncated funk struttage, and crossing into wonky hi-NRG at points. The record’s wonky and experimental bent epitomises the P-funk sound whose name Clinton helped coin, and which is finessed in the myriad usages of ARP String and Hohner Clavinet, best heard on the light-handed claps of ‘Birdie’ or the polyvalent brass-off ‘Amorous’. The weird brides of Parliament did go on to record two further great records, but this is by far their chef-d'oeuvre.

Review: Legendary keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith worked with jazz greats like Dakota Staton, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, and Roland Kirk, formed a notable partnership with Pharoah Sanders and Leon Thomas, toured Europe with Gato Barbieri and played Fender Rhodes with Miles Davis, all before putting out his own solo album. Smith's debut, Astral Traveling, released on Bob Thiele's Flying Dutchman label features his Cosmic Echoes and includes life-affirming cosmic jazz tracks like 'Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord' and 'In Search Of Truth.' This reissue includes a gatefold sleeve and liner notes by jazz critic Nat Hentoff.

Review: Johnny Lytle was a key figure in the early acid jazz scene who became renowned for his anthem 'Selim.' The Ohio vibraphonist also gained fame with his 1965 album The Village Caller on Riverside and after it closed he teamed up with label owner Orrin Keepnews for two albums on Detroit's Tuba. Ace reissued The Loop last year, and now BGP does the same with New And Groovy featuring a stellar lineup: Milt Harris (organ), Wynton Kelly (piano), George Duvivier (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums), Montego Joe (congas), and Lytle on vibes make this a gem that includes original tracks like 'The Snapper' and 'The Pulpit,' plus the radical reworking of Miles Davis' 'Miles.' Though poorly distributed in 1967, this record has been acclaimed by DJs like Gilles Peterson.

Review: This Is The Breaks is a 12-track journey through the history of influential breaks in jazz, funk and soul. Each track featured has not only shaped the golden age of sampling but continues to be used by contemporary artists. The album opens with Millie Jackson's 1974 version of 'If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right', famously sampled in 2023 by NLE Choppa. It also includes Debbie Taylor's soulful 'Let's Prove Them Wrong', used by JID in 2021. The collection highlights the enduring appeal of atmospheric tracks like Little Ann's 'Deep Shadows', which has been sampled by Grand Puba, Loyle Carner, and others. DJ Premier's masterful use of Joe Simon's 'Drowning In The Sea Of Love' for Gang Starr's 1997 hit 'You Know My Steez showcases his unparalleled production skills. Classic breaks like Lowell Fulsom's 'Tramp' and Fatback Band's 'Gotta Learn How To Dance' add to the album's richness, alongside iconic cuts from Bernard Purdie and Lonnie Liston Smith. These original songs continue to inspire, making This Is The Breaks a timeless celebration of musical innovation.