Funk / Reissue Recommendations February 2016

Review: Smoother than silk socks, funkier than a rum cheese cake: Geordie seven piece King Bee deliver a highly limited 45". Their first new material since their self-titled debut last year, "Money Gone" is velvet funk instrumental with just a smidgeon of jazz. Heavy on the vibraphones and clam-tight horns, it's easy to understand why they've had such strong support of BBC's chief funk ambassador Craig Charles. Flip for an upbeat, breakbeat-based twist from Jalapeno artist (and fellow Geordie) Smoove. Only 200 copies.

Review: You better believe it: Hamburg's Mocambo imprint has been going string since 1996, and the label has always been a reliable source of steely, slap-bass funk, boogie-leaning disco, and soul-induced pop. It's a new artist this time, France's Pigalle Connection, who drops "Paris Breakdown", a solid, 70's-driven instrumental missile with awesome horns, followed swiftly by the naughtier and sexier guitar fuzz of "Milano Drive". Last and certainly not least is the sublime rhythmic incantation that is "Pigalle Theme", a groovy, messy little jam that woke us the hell up this morn'. Sick business.

Review: Fancy a whirlwind trip around soul and funk's most evocative moments and talented individuals with sliver tongued tour guide whose prose flow like lyrical sweet nectar? Look. No. Further. Frequent Stevie Wonder collaborator, lyricist, radio show host (both in the US and in the UK on the BBC for spell in the 80s) and certified G, Gary's genius two-part homage to 60s/70s soul and funk is a genuine work of wonder. Essential.

Review: With a name like Tortilla Factory, it's no surprise this band emerged from the Chicano scene of 1970s Texas. Despite releasing several albums throughout the decade, the band's music remains frustratingly difficult to locate in the vinyl format. Step forward Fryer's Athens of the North label who come through with a fine 7" of their material primed for the floor. "Cookin'" is nuthin' but a fine, sleek funk track with all the trimming - horns, slap-bass, organs, you name it! "Cokin' & Tokin'", on the other hand, is a funner, more uplifting, and an absolute pleasure to move your hips to. Funky doesn't even cover it..!

Review: Destination Mali: it's the early 70s, funk bands are popping in all directions and Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako are two key players. The former lay down a springy jam that opens with mischievous horns and won't quit until the final tinny guitar twangs. The latter pay homage to the big man JB with a heavy organ-slapped groove, big bold band orders and a dramatic crescendo. Powerful.

Review: Back in the mid 1970s, young engineer Terry 'T.K' Kane and Henry Stone joined forces to launch a studio and record distribution business in Miami. It would spawn a huge number of in-house labels, and even greater number of funk and disco releases, and even a string of million-selling artists. Given this legacy, it's little surprise to see Athens of the North paying tribute to the funk side of Henry Stone's impressive legacy with this superb collection. While there are a few tried-and-tested cuts to be found - see the T Connection and Little Beaver cuts - for the most part The Miami Sound focuses on more obscure - but no less hard-hitting - gems from the likes of Jonny K, Stevens & Foster and Leno Philips.