Funk / Reissue Recommendations July 2016

Review: Periplo marks the solo debut of Early Sounds Recordings co-founder Pellegrino S. Snichelotto, following occasional contributions to other material from the label's extended family of artists. Interestingly, the six-track set shares some stylistic similarities with friends' Nu Guinea's Tony Allen Experiments mini-album, chiefly the producer's delay and reverb-laden fusion of live instruments and vintage analogue hardware. Stylistically, most of the tracks sit somewhere between jazz-funk, cosmic funk, and the kind of melodious Afro-Cosmic fare that was once a staple of Northern Italy's eccentric club scene. There's plenty of hazy musical humidity to enoy, too, with the impeccable "Ad Libitum" standing out.

Review: Rare funk and soul connoisseurs Athens Of The North uncover four gems from one of the most interesting men in funk history. The man behind "Funky Nassau", Raphael Munnings really should have had a much bigger career than he did. Fortunately AOTN have recovered these four near-misses to ensure they're big hits for us... From the warm horns and Bahaman lilt of "Opportunity Knocking" to the organ and guitar heavy "Sleep On, Dream On" (think Booker T meets Hendrix) via the Gaye-style funk soul vibrancy of "Takin You Higher" this is a very special selection that pays respect to an unsung hero.

Review: Hamburg's Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band are as enigmatic and alluring as when they released their first single back in 2007, a tidy funk 7" that was to set the scene for a very particular sort of instrumental sound. "Jungle Fever", out on their own excellent Big Crown imprint, is a 2015 single that is truly hard not to play on repeat; the tune is a delicate yet funked-out blend of raw drums and tropical steel melodies, much like the name of the band already implies! The flipside "Tender Trap" is more broken and loose in its arrangement, something that makes it perhaps even more catchy and provocative than the title track.

Review: It's more chilly, worldly outsider jazz gear from Barcelona's excellent Rocafort imprint; this time the crew return with the one-man show Kind & Kinky Zoo alongside Adam Gibbons, both making their debut for the label with this smart two-tracker. "Wonder Bra" is a solo mission from K&KZ, a fast-paced drum locomotive with plenty of whistling organs flying around in the high-ends, while Lack Of Afro's remix of "VLAM" by K&KZ and Adam Gibbons is a funkier, more laid-back swinger for a bit of one, two, three four on the dancefloor. Tidy 7" for the soul lovers!

Review: Previously spotted on Acid Jazz beating Duffy at her own game, London northern soul troupe The Third Degree return with two superfluous covers. Britney's "Toxic" gets sweaty flip with enough horn power to make Ronson blush. Flip for smoother twist on Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl" delivered with a swinging revue style polish. Cover versions were invented for versions like this.

Review: Incredible funk scenes from Ghana 1976: comprising members and collaborators of Ebo Taylor, Uhuru Dance Band and Sweet Beans, Pat Thomas formed Marijata a band that really captured western funk and soul with characteristic subtlety; moments such as the rock-steady reggae of "My Love Will Shine", the carnival jazz of "That's The Way" and Zeppelin-style bluesy rock of "Brain Washing" are executed with such authenticity and vibrancy they really do position Pat's troupe in the Afrofunk premiership during their tenure.

Review: The Soul Immigrants are D'Pac and Yogi Patel, two UK-born brothers that have collaborated with Detroit's finest over the years, striking up partnerships with respected house gurus such as Chez Damier and Kevin Saunderson. They've released steadily over the '90s and 2000s, but 2016 marks fifteen years since their last release together, and this funky 7" for Dry Rooti feels like the perfect comeback. "Yard Of Hard" is a delightful funk swinger with Fred Wesley's silly vocals running above the arrangement; it's the sort of tune that instantly calls for the dance floor. There's an instrumental cut for the DJs on the flipside...

Review: San Fran instrumental soul and funk quartet The M Tet consist of guitarist Joe Baer Magnant, Hammond organ player Gary Pitman, drummer Michael Reed and Chris Lujan on Fender bass. Their brand of organ-based RnB with loving nods to the likes of The Meters and Booker T & The M.G.'s has surfaced on a small clutch of 45s for US funk labels these past few years and there is more to check on The M Tet bandcamp! After debuting on Funk Night with a killer instrumental funk rendition of "Express Yourself" last year, The M Tet are back on Frank Raines' label with another dinked display of goodness for the mind, body and soul. Up top "Vamp Oakland" is a delightful funk strut that sees Pitman's Hammond playing tee off against the tight drums of Reed. Down below it's the supple funk bassline from Lujan that really gets into your hips on "Ray Ban".

Review: Few writer/singer/producer talents command legendary status like Leon. With a CV that lists Jackson, Gaye and Jones (among many others) and a rich discography himself, 76-year-old Ware has been behind a vast amount of soul gold over the years. This second album from 1976 is one of the many highlights from his personal repertoire. His only Motown released album, it's a smooth soul adventure with less big band dynamics of his contemporaries and a stripped back backing orchestration. Highlights include the deep shades of Trouble Man on the vocal layers of "Body Heat", the minor key introspection of "Holiday" and proto Balearic wooziness of "Musical Massage".

Review: Gene Washington, a modern US soul man, appears here for Colemine alongside The Ironsides in what is perhaps the label's best single in a good while. "Next To You" is a gorgeous song, the sort of soul slinger that instantly turns the heads and lifts the moods without any fancy tricks, just powerful vocals. "I Still Love Them All" is equally stunning, but it's moodier, a more pensive soul tune that evokes feelings of euphoria in moments of self-healing and self-reflection. Recommended.

Review: You could say that Karl Hector & The Malcouns are one of the only bands left making afro like it should be made...laid back and hypnotic, in the same vein as legends like Fela and Mulatu. Can't Stand The Pressure is their new LP and boy is it a scorcher; over twenty sizzling funk killers that are built with an oldschool flavour and a newschool approach. The guitars are fuzzy and wet, the percussion dusty and abrasive, the horns mystical, and the organs eerie. Yes, the perfect concoction for the right kind of cocktail, served to you on a platter and across four sides of wax. Recommended.