Funk / Reissue Recommendations May 2012

Review: New label Bompa Discos from infamous Belgium DJ/tropical party promoter Funky Bompa, who has been dropping his funky afro/Latin/Caribbean sets on a responsive crowd all over Europe for the last few years. More recently, Funky Bompa has got into producing dozens of his own re edits for his own DJ use, and due to massive demand he's released a couple - albeit it in a strictly limited 300 only dinked 45 no repress format. On ''Berimbao'', Bompa takes the infectious hypnotic guitar of the Brazil original and loops it to great effect, changing the vocal classic into a mostly instrumental journey until the end, when the vocal drops. On the flip ''Aquarelon'' is a remake of a certain Mr Gomez track from 1972, where Funky Bompa lifts the massive piano intro, looping it up to carry through the swinging duration of the track. Certified club bangers both of them!

Review: Buscemi is perhaps more famous for his successful nu jazz runnings from a few years back, but here he pops up on the cheeky Austrian label Resense for a catchy mash up of sampled vocals, thumping bass and jazz swing on "It Ain't Right, No, No". On the flip the Jacksons' dancefloor favourite "Blame It On The Boogie" gets reworked in a mashed frenzy of sample stabs and a bossa beat, with lashings of flanged bass and vocal samples. Both tracks are an acquired taste but it's selling like hot cross buns on Easter Sunday, so they must be doing something right!

Review: "I'm a Good Woman" from 1966 is possibly Barbara Lynn's most famous cut and was reissued on Jazzman associate label Fryers back in 2004 as the label's debut 45. On this double sider, another Jazzman offshoot, Soul 7, digs a little deeper with this slab of 7 inch dinked goodness containing "Movin' On A Groove". The A side comes correct with a huge slice of modern soul femme funk with a catchy piano refrain underpinned by a smouldering organ in the background. On the flip, we discover an unreleased version of "Nice & Easy" from 1976, which has been lovingly restored and drenched in a crystal clear vocal performance from Barbara, sounding as though it was recorded yesterday.

Review: Released with the help of Voodoo Funk's legendary African music digger Frank Gossner, this offering of vintage Nigerian afro funk from Academy Records has been officially licenced and remastered with glorious results. The Apostles were best known for their string of folksy hits in the mid 70s and early 80. However preceding this period the band made more funk orientated guitar-driven monsters, of which two tracks are presented here with this reissue of "Onye Akpa" and "Oshi Onwu". Both cuts are deep fried in simmering organ and distinct rhythm guitar licks; two wonderful vocal afro groovers for fans of Soundway and the like.

Review: Super limited Record Store Day release from two established Tru Thoughts acts, with two exclusively live recordings of "Look Around The Corner" and a version of the gospel classic made famous by NYCC, "I'll Keep A Light In My Window". Both were recorded in one take live direct to disc (a system which bypasses the use of magnetic tape) and features Will Quantic's band Combo Barbaro, including musicians from Peru and Columbia flown over to UK especially for the recording. Both releases are simply outstanding, with Alice Russell's vocals soaring in places and gentle in others. Collectable and, quite simply, essential.

Review: One of two instrumental releases from Japanese outfit Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro this week. A Side "Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind" appears to be exclusive to this release and travels down a traditional funk/rare groove path with drums, brass and some nice rhodes tinkling towards the end. On the flip you'll find "KITT Knightrider", which featured on the latest studio album Taking A Lesson From The Past. It's a cover version of - you guessed it - the Knight Rider theme tune, with incessant guitar picks, big hammond organ chords and even some car engine noises to add effect! Juno is one of the only lucky stores outside of Japan to carry these limited 45's on Back Fire so don't sleep.

Review: San Francisco label Ubiquity comes correct with a special limited edition 12" with two Adrians joining forces, namely Adrian Younge (Venice Dawn/Black Dynamite) and Adrian Quesada (Echocentrics/Ocote Soul Sounds/Brownout/Grupo Fantasma). "The Love I Got" is a furious drum workout with what sounds like UK soul artist Lewis Taylor on vocal duties (it's not though!), with female backing vocals and lashings of southern fried guitar. "Last Word" is quality female funk fodder, with a great performance from Sonia Moore and, for us, it's the stand out track. On the flip, "The Last Time" has both Sonia and Anthony Farrell with impressive performances on a melancholic trip of funky soul/rock. The EP ends with an instrumental version of "The Love I Got", with those hypnotic piano keys more distinctive than ever.

Review: Ebo Taylor has released records since 1977, and his latest EP on the Superfly imprint, Twer Nyame, maintains his reputation for quality West African music. The title track gently nudges you with soft organ keys sitting perfectly amongst a gentle vocal spattering. Short guitar licks and horn stabs demand attention as they make you sway back and forth to this delightful piece of African funk. "Peace On Earth" lounges at an easy pace, the gliding guitar work and soft piano line make the track both mournful and optimistic, perfectly suited to a dark basement club dense with smoke. Finally "Atwer Abroba" picks up the pace with fearsome horn stabs and an organ solo completely drenched in funk.