Juno Recommends Funky House: July 2022

Review: Although he made his name beefing up disco and boogie tunes, Casual Connection has used his Edits imprint - a spin-off from his clothing brand of the same name - to showcase tasty reworks of hip-hop, R&B and New Jack Swing jams. He's at it again on this fourth "45" in the series. A-side, 'Juicy Tells Him' is particularly potent, with the Aussie rework king cannily combining a much-loved rap acapella with punchy electronic beats, sturdy electronic bass and the kind of Korg M-1 organ riff more often associated with bassline or '90s U.S garage jams. He opts for an even heavier, sleazier, and dirtier sound on 'Tasty Work', a next-level re-imaging of a Missy Elliot classic that's as on-point and club-ready as they come.

Review: Toronto veteran Jason Hodges is back with a new one this week on local label Purveyor Underground Limited, following up a great inaugural release by homeboy Demuir. The result is the deep, down and dirty boompty business of 'Our World' featuring some cool vocal work atop by William Alexander. Demuir's Playboi edit up next retains all the jazzy, dusty and deep qualities of the original, and will mix well with all your old Classic or Robsoul records. Over on the flip, there's some hypnotic DJ Sneak style disco loops on 'He's Whining Again' followed by the thumping funky house banger 'Find A Way' (part 1).

Review: Have there been any remixes that have been more impactful and influential than StoneBridge's famous re-rub of Robin-S's 'Show Me Love'? An enormous crossover hit when it was first released in 1990, the track's blend of bold organ hooks, bumpin' beats, dreamy chords and big vocals later helped inspired the birth of what was then known as 'bassline house' or 'northern garage'. As this reissue proves, it remains a timeless dance anthem that transcends genre. This time round, it comes backed by a lesser-celebrated StoneBridge rework of another Robin-S track, 'Luv For Luv'. This is a bit deeper and sweeter, but mostly utilises the same musical ingredients (gravelly stabs, Korg M-1 organ lines, lush pads and so on).

Review: Local Talk welcome back Shaka two years after the well received The Riverwalk EP. Once again this two tracker heads down a nice deep and funky path with plenty of soul soothing jazz-funk grooves nailed to a deep house beat. The drums sway, the chords glow and the compositions are brilliantly loose and fluid. Jazzy house does come along this deep and real very often so do not sleep on this one. If Roy Ayers had ever recorded house cuts for Strictyl Rhythm, this is maybe what they would have sounded like.

Review: Balearic house maestro Kiko Navarro has a long and winding career through funky house which has graced the likes of Pacha, BBE, Wonderwheel and many more besides. He inaugurates his Afroterraneo label (named after his 2020 album) with a glossy vocal cut draped in all the feel good style points he's made his own over more than three decades. As well as the original mix, Navarro also offers up a clubbier rework for those who want to take the party deeper. On the flip the mighty Kerri Chandler offers up a signature slice of warm, mellifluous New Jersey gear and Tuccillo slows things right down with a backroom diversion that could well be the standout joint on this sparkling 12".