DJS: MOST CHARTED - FUNK - MOST CHARTED IN JUNE 2015

Review: The label says it all... Neither of these tracks have ever been released outside the original albums they came on. Until now. The legendary Candido steps up for the A-side with an uptempo, percussion-heavy groove from his 1971 album Beautiful; with big brassy fills and a stripped back, sample-addict's dream breakdown, this still punches as hard now as it did over 40 years ago. Flip for a funk trip from the equally revered Edwin Starr. Taken from his Hell Up In Harlem soundtrack, it's quintessential Blaxploitation funk with slippery bass, sleazy guitars and Edwin's velvet vocals that can go from purring to roaring in 0.03 seconds. Limited to one per customer, jump on this as soon as you can.

Review: One man funk army Gene Dudley is about to drop another 7" upside our lugholes... And this is one of the first signs of its quality. A broad banquet across two courses; "I've Changed" is straight up classic soul with big velvet vocals and massive horns. "Inspector Norse", meanwhile, shows Gene's fizzier, funk side. One of the most creative covers of Todd Terje you'll ever hear, this has already been hammered by the likes of Bonobo and Craig Charles. Sweaty.

Review: London nine-piece Funkshone up the funk ante once again, this time on their own brand new label Bandoni Music (named after the band's drummer and manager). Hooking up with The Easy Access Orchestra (who also act as The Herbaliser's live band), both sides of "To The Yard" are a super-tight frenzy where an array of brass and wind instruments get freaky over the rolling drum breaks and the Mike's razor sharp guitar riff. Only 300 copies of this have been pressed.... You know what to do.

Review: The Originals dot-joining exercise continues apace with another great lesson for the budding diggers and sample spotters... Here Alabama trumpeter Brooks' 74 jazz adventure is dusted off in all its meandering, joyfully unpredictable seven minute glory. Flip for a fine lesson in classic sampling as Tribe Called Quest's "Luck Of Lucien" utilises the hook at a different speed, pitch and vibe that's tailored for ATCQ. In the words of Q Tip himself "Get a grip on the mission you're taking".

Review: One of America's undisputed kings of soul and songwriting Master Weldon gets an AOTN celebration of the highest order as his 1976 classic "I Love You" (written with and featuring Don Blackman) gets a welcome revisit. An ultimately dreamy number, file it alongside Faze O's "Riding High" for the quintessential end-of-night smooch sound. If that's not quite enough, the B is a delicate-yet-rich instrumental cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" Stunning. There's really nothing not to like about this.

Review: Russian funk crew The Soul Surfers return to Ubiquity with the first single from their forthcoming debut album. Hooking up with Stones Throw vocalist Myron & E, the band provide a rigid Rhodes-based groove that builds momentum along with the horns but is spacious enough for Myron to do his business. Flip for the second side of the tale as the keys are elements are switched out in sequence, giving a cross-section view of how The Soul Surfers construct their compositions. We can't wait for the album.

Review: PPU dip into Sven Atterton's superb Omega Supreme set The Cove for a 12" edition featuring two highlights of the album. London native Atterton pulled all the right swerves with the eight track set issued back in March and any funk commandos that didn't check it at the time will probably want to after a few spins of this 12". This limited white label grants DJs the chance to drop the sophisticated funk of the album's title track, a real early doors legs warmer this one. On the flip Sven goes deep into the boogie with the taut "Prime time".

Review: Classic alert !! Album only track get's a timely repress as a one sided 45 for specialist crossover dance floors the world over.

Review: All AOTN releases are special and have been curated, researched and excavated from the past with total care, attention and respect. This one, however, is a whole new level. Apparently originals have regularly changed hands for over $6000 and its taken 10 years for AOTN boss Fryer to located and procure a clean copy of the 300 pressings made way back in 77. "Gangster Boy" is a subtle slice of soul that gradually develops with sentiment and gusto as the backing vocals deliver harmony after harmony. Flip for a heavier deep funk affair where the instrumentation is much fuller and rawer but the BVs are just as big. A really interesting release in every possible direction. AOTN keep on delivering.

Review: Released in 1975, Cameroonian Tala AM's fifth album returns to the spotlight by way of African Road Trip. Dense, multi-layered funk with the emphasis placed firmly on the instrumental and vocals are used more as a rhythmic device, each composition is a fully physical adventure. Highlights include the strident piano slams on "Sugar Lump", the rich Q&A hypnosis and counter-play of melodies on "Arabica" and the much softer, reflective feels and shimmering high life guitars of "Soweto". Ageless.

Review: Part of a series of reissues by Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids. Once privately pressed, Rhapsody In Berlin is the result of an extensive exploration of Africa before returning to the German capital. Both sides are built around one hooky refrain as each player takes the lead and the momentum into brave new areas. With a robust support from the heavy funk guitar backline and overwhelmingly funky drums, it's all about range of horns (muted or otherwise), flutes and pygmy flutes that weave tightly into each other with a sense of natural chaos. As the name of Idris's San Fran dance troupe suggests, this is a bona fide cultural odyssey.

Review: In case you didn't know, The M Tet consists of Joe Baer Magnant on guitar, Gary Pitman on the organ, Chris Lujan on bass, and Michael Reed on drums. Together they've been putting out soulful neo-funk, and they're back with their third release, this time for Detroit's Funk Night outlet. "Express Yourself" is a jazzy, instrumental cover of the pop song which goes by the same name, while "Sweetheart" is deeper, moodier and more head-nodding. A tight lil' 7" this one!

Review: You can just tell a bunch of record diggers are behind Africa Seven; it's only been going since the turn of the year, but already the Paris-London label is shaping up to be an important name in the world of archival afro funk. Hot on the heels of that Manu Dibango reissue, Africa Seven turn their attentions to the self-titled album from his compatriot Jo Tongo. If you liked Tongo's contribution to the Africa Seven compilation African Airways Volume 1 you should be all over this eight track album, originally issued in 1976, and still a long player oozing with afro funk style. Recorded in both French and his native Duala language and featuring production from legendary Parisian funk/disco/afro soundman Slim Pezin, it is a perfect example of 70s funk meeting afrobeat with African folk styles and flavours.

Review: Brooklyn label Razor-N-Tape get in on the Record Store Day action with this 10" edition of Beatin Tha Breaks from Nashville-based Magic In Threes. It's the remixes that come first, with Dutch artist Fouk going into similar house territory to Kenny Dope with plenty of live instrumental touches blessing the bristling percussion. It's a totally different vibe on the Freddie Joachem remix, with the Californian opting for some midtempo funk breaks that stay closer to the sound of Magic In Threes' original version . This closes out the RSD release on the B-side and is an easy-breezy affair dripping with soulful guitars and harmonies.

Review: One of Wah Wah 45s' most consistent contributors Scrimshire runs fine lines in both original material and some absurdly funky edits (case in point, his stupendous take on "Grandma's Hands" a few years back") Here he's back on the edit trip with two takes on Margie Joseph. Crafting her gutsy soul into two crisp, floor-ready workouts, "Margie Moves Mountains" rolls out as the original before getting heavier and heavier while "Margie Loves Drums" (a shake-up of her Bill Withers' cover - "The Same Love Made Me Laugh") plays more on the stops/starts and clam-tight edits. Both absolutely kill it.

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.

Review: As if their recent album Beyond The Sun wasn't quite enough new material this year, Orgone return with two more brand new jams on this 7" for Colemine. "Strike" is a firing, sweaty Union cover that's focused on nothing but an unashamed party. "New You" is a softer, more sensual boogie number that oozes soaking wet guitar licks and honey-coated vocals throughout. Powerful contemporary funk from one of the most successful and prolific troupes in existence.

Review: Blackcat repress this 2009 45" and its spread remains as broad and beautiful as it did five years ago. "Come Back To Me" takes us back to 1976 as Native American soul girl Cheyenne's rich, gut-driven delivery tops a seriously tight funk cake that's flavoured with blistering horns and crisp guitars. "Take Me To Your Home" takes us even further back to 1973. Taken from their debut album Now Hear This, it's a sparkling, jazz-tinted psychedelic slice that harbours some seriously warm keys. Guaranteed to remain broad and beautiful for a long, long time to come. Grab it while you can.

Review: Its origin unknown here as two classic cuts from the Bob James canon get the edit treatment on a highly limited 45 - strictly for the nimble fingered DJs only. Every man and his funk appreciating dog should be familiar with both "Nautilus" and "Mardi Gras", they are the epitome of 'iconic tracks' and it's nice to see them available on 45 for the first time, edited to give an extra bit of oomph to those breakbeats. Don't sleep !

Review: DJ Nick Bike, one of Vancouver's finest and 2013 Vancouver Red Bull Thre3style Champion, adds his distinctive spin to two soul/funk classics, Kool & The Gang's "Who's Gonna Take The Weight" and Lou Johnson's "The Beat" with a few bonus goodies thrown in for good measure - look out for Volume 2 coming very soon....