Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Miles Away: One, curated by label founder Dom Ore, is a soulful journey spanning continents, eras, and genres. Rooted in soul, this compilation seamlessly blends legendary musical figures with lesser-known gems, creating a cohesive listening experience. Disc one kicks off with Idris Muhammad's spiritual-jazz masterpiece 'I'm A Believer,' leading into modern soul and disco selections that showcase Miles Away's reputation. Highlights include Eugene Smiley's rare crossover-soul track 'Yes It's You' and Solid Gold Revue's infectious dance cut 'She's So Good.' The compilation also features enduring soul funk like 'No Communication' by True Transfusion and gospel-infused sounds like 'Fantasy Ride' by Uneda Dennard. Disc two takes a different turn, offering soundtrack and library music cuts alongside eclectic finds like Laine August's electro-pop gem 'Be My Friend' and Colour's stripped-back street-soul track 'Deeper.' The set concludes with Margaret Singana's timeless cover of Stretch's 'Why Did You Do It.' Painstakingly researched and officially licensed, each track is accompanied by in-depth liner notes, honoring the artists and their music. Miles Away: One is a worthy addition to any collection.

Review: The latest edition of the Mr Bongo Record Club series is a meticulously curated blend of timeless gems and fresh discoveries. Volume 7 showcases a rich tapestry of genres, spanning Brazilian, Latin, soul, disco, gospel, cosmic, dancehall and downtempo music.This version on purple vinyl shines a spotlight on vintage tracks while introducing a contemporary gem. Highlights include Os Panteras' Brazilian funk, Claude Jay's underground disco beats, and the soulful Danish duo Gitte & Inger. The gospel soul of Truth & Devotion and the infectious grooves of Chain Reaction also stand out, reflecting the diverse influences that inspire this compilation. Notably, this volume leans heavily into Brazilian sounds, exploring deeper into folk and Afro-Brazilian influences with selections from As Sublimes, Romeu Fernandes, and Conjunto de Percussao Dora Pinto. These tracks offer a refreshing contrast to previous volumes and highlight the expansive nature of Brazilian music. A standout feature is the exclusive track 'Spring Has Sprung,' a collaboration between iconic Asha Puthli, the innovative band SOYUZ, and Swedish producer Sven Wunder. This new production is a breathtaking addition, exemplifying the exceptional quality that Mr Bongo Record Club aims to deliver. Additionally, the compilation includes club-tested hits like The Shades of Love's 'Come Inside,' ensuring that the dancefloor favourites continue to resonate.

Review: Hungarian outfit Budabeats proudly present Psyched Out Grooves From Hungary (1969-72), their latest compilation tracking the emergence and sure formation of psychedelic rock in Hungary. In the label's own words, "there were barely any drugs in Hungary to begin with", and we take this to be precisely the point. Psychedelia isn't a state that should rely on drugs as a crutch: no, there was something already dormant, but primed for the teasing, in the Hungarian psyche, that lent to its acquired taste for psych in the 60s and 70s. With contributions from "an undercurrent of smaller, semi-professional bands" who persisted in the shadow of a select few huge names, who dominated by dint of their sponsorship by the one, state-owned major label, this comp betrays an insider's knowledge and then some, with highlights from Non-Stop, Sampolo, Neoton, Apostol and Kex standing out as peak-quality Hungarian psych, despite none of these bands ever receiving a breakthrough. Such songs and bands were "the exception, not the norm", the "illusion of a scene".

Review: Soul Jazz Records' new Miami Sound 2 is a superlative collection of 70s soul, funk, disco and boogie featuring tracks from legendary artists such as Betty Wright, Timmy Thomas, Gwen McRae, Milton Wright, T-Connection and many more, all released on the mighty TK Records musical empire based in Miami, Florida. Centring on the curatorial efforts of TK Records founder Henry Stone, who is credited by Soul Jazz as one of the tastemaking pioneers of boogie, after the early ferments of gritty funk and soul formed out of the arrival of disco in the mid-70s. This compilation snaps up a distinct, unforgettable moment in the pivot from disco into soul, with essential tracks from Betty Wright, to Timmy Thomas, to Raw Soul Express, to T Connection all in tow.

Review: Hot Casa has always been a proverbial hot pot of international sounds from across several rhythmic and cultural worlds. The New Year starts off on a strong footing for the French crew with a new album from Afro funk collective Vandou Game. It finds them reaching outside their usual Togolese confines to take inspiration from across the Atlantic. The record was made in the legendary OTODI studio with Peter Solo on hand to add his expertise to a bunch of feel-good, horn-laced workouts that are laden with percussion, have endlessly catchy rhythms and plenty of soulful, authentic vocal charms.

Review: Def Radio marks the return of Marc Mac's long-running Visioneers project. As ever with Visioneers, this record reimagines the default stock of hip-hop's best-stocked jukebox, often beginning from scratch and/or working around a central sample, to either recontextualise a classic or come up with a new song; whatever the case, the key hallmark of a Visioneers album is its live instrumentation, with flaunts a *gauche et droite* mastery over hip-hop's laggard swing. Where this would usually handled by the chance placement of the sample snippet on the timeline alone, here it (sounds) actually drummed in. On Def Radio, lead tune 'The Look Of Love' predominates with its three-note ostinato and unhurried beat flaneur, whilst runner-ups 'Layin' Low, Gettin' High' and 'Cuban Candy Sticks' also stick out as salient among the troupe.

Review: This special Anniversary Edition celebrates the groundbreaking band War's 55th year with a remastered version of the original album by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman. The iconic, multi-million selling, Billboard 200 Top Ten original has plenty of seminal WAR classics such as 'Low Rider' and the title track 'Why Can't We Be Friends?' and next to this eon disc one is a second disc filled with unreleased tracks from the original sessions, along with unedited mixes that offer deeper insight into the group's creative process. Blending funk, soul, jazz, pop and Latin influences, this genre-defying band has remained a cornerstone of Los Angeles's scene for over five decades.

Review: War's signature sound blends rock, funk and r&b and is best exemplified by hits like 'The Cisco Kid' and the iconic anthem 'Why Can't We Be Friends?' Each track showed the group have great versatility and enduring appeal across genres as well as a fine ability to write catchy hooks and lay down infectious grooves. This compilation is a tribute to War's legacy and one that showcases their unique ability to meld different musical styles into an array of unforgettable hits. It comes on a nice translucent red vinyl, too.

Review: Johnny "Guitar" Watson's 1977 funk album, A Real Mother For Ya, solidified his status as a master of the genre. Known for his exceptional guitar skills, Watson's album produced the international hit title track along with standout songs like 'Nothing Left To Be Desired' and 'Lover Jones.' This reissue also includes the 2020 Ben Liebrand Oldskool mix as a bonus track, adding a fresh perspective to Watson's timeless funk sound. Throughout his career, Watson influenced countless artists, including Jimi Hendrix, and earned a Grammy nomination for best contemporary blues album. Tragically, Watson passed away while touring Japan in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and groove. A Real Mother For Ya remains a standout example to Watson's musical genius. Available on black vinyl, this reissue ensures that Watson's electrifying sound continues to engage audiences for generations to come.

Review: Paul Weller is perhaps one of the best non-soul musicians to ask to compile a rare soul compilation. Rather than documenting soul music as it proliferated in the 1960s, Ace Records' soul aim was to capture a genre, fashion and style as one man saw it in retrospect, in light of his involvement in the mod revival of the mid 1970s. Weller would later go onto form and front The Jam, but in late 1974, shortly before his involvement in the punk movement, he was about none of that business at all. Punk partly grew on febrile tissues of mod, which was in turn an offshoot of 60s soul; and it is true that we may hear a foetal form of the sound in the brasher cuts on this record, be it Billy Stewart's 'Summertime' or James Carr's 'Pouring Water'. Also clock Brother To Brother's 'In The Bottle', a super-early drum machine blues gem perfect for the house heads.

Review: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild Magnolias' debut album, Decca Records from France is releasing a special vinyl box set that pays tribute to these legendary recordings. This limited-edition 3LP collection includes the two original Barclay albumsiThe Wild Magnolias and They Call Us Wildialongside four bonus tracks and two previously unreleased remixes. This beautiful set is presented on 140gm vinyl, is housed in a lift-off lid box that features the original album artwork for the first two LPs. Fans and collectors alike will appreciate this carefully curated release, which not only revisits the groundbreaking work of the Wild Magnolias but also adds fresh content to their storied legacy. The collaboration between Willie Tee, the New Orleans Project, and the commanding vocals of Bo Dollis brought the soulful energy of New Orleans to life, and these recordings remain some of the most dynamic and cherished representations of that spirit, even five decades later.

Review: X-Ray Ted's debut album, Moving On, is a tremendous journey through the realms of Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, and Breaks. With meticulous attention to detail and a keen ear for hidden musical treasures, X-Ray Ted delivers a collection that seamlessly blends vintage sounds with modern flair. From the infectious guitar riffs to the irresistible beats, each track on the album exudes an infectious energy that is guaranteed to get listeners moving on the dancefloor. What truly sets Moving On apart is the stellar lineup of collaborators, including hip-hop luminaries like Afrika Baby Bam and Fullee Love, as well as the soulful vocals of Carys Abigail. Together, they create a musical tapestry that effortlessly bridges the gap between retro vibes and contemporary beats, offering listeners a timeless experience that celebrates the rich history of music while embracing the future.

Review: If you think you know a cooler cat and more brilliant boogie producer than XL Middleton right now then you're lying. His Tap Water very much set that reparation in motion when it arrived back in 2016 right when modern funk was making a comeback thank to Dam Funk et al. It's a hard to find original that still stands up and now it has been followed up by a second volume of brilliantly squelch analogue funk, dazzling boogie baselines, lush sci-fi chords and retro future fills, vocals and hooks.

Review: The EP Lagos Paris London by Yannis & The Yaw, featuring the late Tony Allen, is a testament to the powerful creative synergy between two musical luminaries. Initially envisioned as a nostalgic Afrobeat project, the collaboration took on a life of its own, weaving together elements of rock, funk, jazz, and dub in a dynamic fusion. Recorded over a series of sessions in a Paris studio, the music emerged organically from jams and loops, guided by the intuitive telepathy between Yannis Philippakis and Tony Allen. Joined by Allen's regular collaborators, the result is a collection of near-complete songs imbued with high-spirited, loose-grooved exuberance. Despite facing challenges such as scheduling issues and Covid restrictions, Yannis felt a deep obligation to complete the project in honor of Allen's memory and his desire to share the music with the world. Lagos Paris London serves as both a celebration of their friendship and a timeless testament to the enduring influence of Tony Allen's rhythmic talent.

Review: Released in the wake of Tony Allen's death, Lagos Paris London is the latest full-length record by Foals' Yannis Philippakis in collaboration with the late great drumming legend. The Yannis And the Yaw project finally emerges after years of fan-teasers revealing Philippakis to have been working with the acclaimed Fela Kuti bandmate and Afrobeat pioneer in the studio; after Allen's death in 2023, the likes of 'Walk Through Fire' and 'Lagos Paris London' effortlessly blend the sounds of Afrobeat and post-punk, bridging the spirits of each while unexpectedly swerving from the duo's initial impulse to produce a nostalgic record.

Review: 'Linear Labs: Sao Paulo' on vinyl offers a deep dive into Adrian Younge's masterful blend of analog textures and global influences. Featuring unreleased gems from projects like 'Something About April III' and Snoop Dogg's 'Don't Cry for the Devil', this LP brings together a rich array of soundsifrom Brazilian samba with Samantha Schmutz to ALA.NI's Parisian jazz and Bilal's soul-infused tracks. The album resonates with Younge's signature analog warmth and forward-thinking production. Pressed on vinyl, this release is an essential piece for collectors and fans of psychedelic soul and genre-defying music.