Review: The Williams Brothers, hailing from East Orange, New Jersey, burst onto the scene with a compelling blend of sweet soul and deep funk. Their standout double-sider featuring 'That's Life' and 'Rap On,' originally released in 1972 on Twain Record, showcases their exceptional musical abilities. This release, now a rare gem, captures the soulful depth and vibrant energy that defined the group, making it a collector's dream. Starting in gospel music, the brothers transitioned to R&B with their father's reluctant blessing, quickly becoming local sensations. Their journey took a significant turn when they won a competition by New Zealand Breweries, leading to international tours and increased fame. Despite facing early challenges, including a tragic car accident that paralyzed the youngest brother Anthony, the Williams Brothers have continued to evolve, recently venturing into EDM and gaining recognition as an electrifying opening act for major DJs. Their records, especially early releases like 'That's Life/Rap On', are highly sought after today, commanding thousands of dollars per copy, solidifying their status as an underground legend of music.
The Wonderland Band - "Thrill Me" (Joe T Vannelli Classic mix) (5:51)
The Wonderland Band - "Thrill Me (With Your Super Love)" (8:05)
Pure Energy - "Party On" (Vannelli Bros Classic mix) (7:31)
Pure Energy - "Party On" (8:24)
Review: Use Vinyl looks back to two iconic tracks from the 70s and 80s here for source material for a new remix EP by the Vannelli family. Joe T remixes 'Thrill Me' by The Wonderland Band into the sort of direct and funky house sound that brims with early dance music charm while the Vannelli Bros offer their rework of 'Party On' by Pure Energy which comes with plenty of energy for club contexts. Both tracks are presented as Classic Mix versions and bring plenty of new life to the original hits without forgoing the timeless, catchy and meaningful melodies that define the originals. House music like this is as authentic as it gets.
Review: Side-1 kicks off with a raw and funky garage band jam that perfectly captures the spirit of 1967. With its dynamic energy, the track blends elements of jazz, rock, funk and blues, creating an exciting, soul-infused experience. The rhythm section drives the track with relentless energy, while the soulful melodies and infectious groove make it a standout piece. The mix of surf rock and mod influences gives it a timeless, gritty edge that resonates with both vintage and modern listeners. Side-2 takes a more experimental turn with a unique jam laden with saxophone and rich instrumental textures. The track's experimental nature is underscored by its unconventional structure, utilizing the harpsichord to create a distinctive, jazzy vibe. The saxophone adds a layer of depth, intertwining with the rhythm to produce a mood that's both introspective and lively. This track offers a refreshing, avant-garde twist that contrasts beautifully with the raw energy of the opening side.
Review: To single out a release in catalogue of the 70s famed 'tax scam' label TSG is a hard ask the level of quality remained both consistently and inexplicably high during its two years of operation. Thus calling 1619 Bad Ass Band's 1976 self-titled album a stand-out release doesn't honour the spirit of the catalogue, and yet, by all accounts, everything about this monolithic funk and soul unit is striking.
Prices on the second-hand market for the original LP and 1978 Graham International reissue have priced out virtually everyone for decades. P-Vive is thrilled to be reissuing the album on vinyl fitted with an iconic Japanese obi strip.
Our Hearts Didn't Go That Way (feat Durand Jones) (3:57)
Long Term Parking (3:05)
So Real (2:54)
Magazine (0:35)
Fight Or Fall (4:21)
Review: Brooklyn-based band 79.5 make music right now, rather than being some long-lost acts from the 80s as you might expect from the cover. The group consists of singer, songwriter and composer Kate Mattison, singer and rapper Lola Adanna, drummer Caito Sanchez, bassist Andrew Raposo and sax player and flautist Izaak Mills. Their self-titled album comes on Razor-N-Tape and captures the sound of New York City perfectly with soul and psychedelic melodies that are hard to match. From 70s underground disco to acid jazz to and sweet pop sounds, they draw on it all for this fine concoction of dancefloor gems, which also serves as a protest at the often all too male dominated world of dance music.
Review: A Certain Ratio's core trio of drummer Donald Johnson, bassist/vocalist Jez Kerr, and multi-instrumentalist Martin Moscrop make ACR Loco a perfectly fluid and funk album. In fact, on this, their first album in more than ten years, the Manchester post-punk outfit are as funky as they have ever been. Their tried and tested sound gets nicely updated with modern beat driven sounds and plenty of redefines to today's political strife in the lyrics. There are plenty of smooth and cool synth led grooves like 'Get A Grip' and messages of unity on 'Family' that we can all relate to.
Review: Jazz Room reissue the infamous first mini-album by Abacothozi. Formed in 1973 by bassist Berthwel Maphumulo, Mac Mathunjwa on organ, Innocent Mathunjwa on drums, Joe Zikhali on guitar, Thema Maboneng was released in 1975, before being almost immediately forgotten. However, a recent rediscovery by diggers and curators Kon & Amir, for their lauded Off The Track Volume Two: Queens compilation, sparked a renewed interest; the South African four-piece shared equal responsibility in writing and arranging these six instrumentals, which are tight and full, and come replete with Hammonds, well-surrounded guitar, and cross-sticking snare hits.
Review: In celebration of 50 years in the performing arts, Idris Ackamoor presents Artistic Being for Record Store Day 2025-a powerful blend of jazz, spoken word and activism. Featuring the voices of acclaimed actor Danny Glover and stage legend Rhodessa Jones, this record captures highlights from the Underground Jazz Cabaret, which was performed during Black History Month 2024 at The Lab in San Francisco. Co-produced by Ackamoor's Cultural Odyssey, the release fuses poetic storytelling with evocative musical textures while reflecting on social justice, identity and resilience. Artistic Being is a profound statement from a visionary artist.
Review: First released in 1979 during the heyday of Brazil's jazz-funk movement, Antonio Adolfo's Viralata has long been considered an era-defining release by those who know. Given that original Brazilian copies are frustratingly hard to come by, this official reissue from Far Out Recordings - who previously worked with Adolfo on his 2007 set Destiny - should be an essential purchase for all those who dig Brazilian music. A little more jazz-focused than albums by contemporaries such as Azymuth, much of "Viralata" is slick, polished and incredibly well produced, with notable samba influences amongst the unashamed tributes to leading American artists. As you'd perhaps expect, the musicianship is astonishing.
Review: Ajate's third album, Dala Toni, is a vibrant fusion of Afro groove and Japanese traditional Ohayashi music, showcasing the band's innovative approach to blending diverse musical traditions. Founded by Japanese musician Junichiro "John" Imaeda after a revelatory experience in West Africa, Ajate brings together ten passionate musicians to create music that transcends cultural boundaries. Utilizing a mix of traditional instruments like drums, flutes, and bells, as well as handmade bamboo instruments crafted by Imaeda himself, such as the unique 'Jaate' and 'Piechiku,' Ajate's sound is both powerful and distinctive. Their incorporation of Afrobeat rhythms and Japanese vocals adds further depth and richness to their music, reflecting themes of human connection, unity, and the joy of life.Having gained acclaim for their explosive live performances in Japan and beyond, including appearances at prestigious festivals like Sukiyaki Meets The World and WOMAD UK, Ajate's music resonates with audiences worldwide. With Dala Toni, they continue to push the boundaries of global music, solidifying their position as pioneers of the genre "made in Japan."
Review: Kalita has a fine record of unearthing holy grail records and reissuing them to rabid fans around the world. The latest is a real corker even by their standards - an unrelated album of soul, gospel and disco songs from Al-Dos Band. It is part of the first drop for Record Store Day 2021 and immediately melts the heart. 'Don't Come Smiling Back' is a deeply emotive slow jam with an impassioned vocal and pained chords, while 'Your Presence' is a much more rapturous and uplifting bit of musical worship, 'Some Things Don't Mean A Thing' is a robust and rugged bit of strident disco with magic funk riffs, and 'Love Jones Coming Down' is a real dance floor heater.
Review: The magnificent Luaka Bop label has been showcasing the work of Alhaji Waziri Oshomah - a master of Afro sounds and rhythms that cut deep - for a while now across several albums and compilations. He hails from Edo State in southern Nigeria and is known for holding sermons of the religious as well as musical sort. After various volumes of work and the superb World Spirituality Classics 3: The Muslim Highlife Of Alhaji Waziri Oshomah record comes this new series of gems that show off his unique take on international rhythms across four long, ever evolving and always engaging grooves.
Review: This is a posthumous tribute album to the late Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, who was one of the pioneers of Afrobeat music and a longtime collaborator of Fela Kuti. The album features Allen's drumming mixed with new compositions by the American producer Adrian Younge, who is known for his work with artists like Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. The pronouncement that "jazz is dead" is certainly a controversial one, but Younge's aim there is to equate Allen with the spirit of jazz as a whole. The jubilant warpery and tremolo-ing flutes of lead tracks like 'Ebun' should be enough to know: like the impenetrable durability of jazz, Allen will live on through his work.
Review: Two titans of African music come together for a collaboration that will sadly never be repeated after the passing of the late Hugh Masekela. Allen's instantly recognisable drumming and Masekela's iconic trumpet are a match made in heaven - after all their paths first crossed back in the 70s thanks to Fela Kuti's galvanizing energy. Forget the throwback stuff trying to capture the spirit of the originators, this IS the originators sounding cool and deadly in every way. Funk lovers, Afrobeat heads, curious ears and dancing souls take heed - this right here is an unmissable transmission from two grandmasters in their field.
Somewhere To Be (feat Andy Cooper & Marietta Smith) (3:22)
Ever Been (3:36)
Review: Freak The Speaker marks a vibrant evolution in The Allergies' sound, showcasing their deep-rooted love for diverse musical styles. Producers Moneyshot and Rackabeat have upped the ante, delivering their biggest beats yet and enlisting an array of talented MCs and vocalists to bring their vision to life. Afrobeat star K.O.G. injects energy into the lively 'Koliko,' while Ohmega Watts delivers sharp, impactful verses on the hard-hitting 'No Flash.' UK rappers Dr Syntax and Skunkadelic trade dynamic bars over booming 808s on 'My Own Way,' and Dynamite MC shines on the soulful, infectious 'One Time.' Fans of The Allergies' signature funky, sample-heavy production won't be disappointed. Tracks like 'Let Me Hear You Say' channel vintage roller disco vibes, while 'Knock Me Off My Feet' is a 60s soul-inspired banger that's already garnered praise. Andy Cooper of Ugly Duckling brings his trademark flair to his features, complemented by the lively contributions of saxophonist James Morton and soulful singer Marietta Smith. Freak The Speaker is a celebration of music's global diversity, wrapped in The Allergies' unmistakable style.
Vamonos (feat Andy Cooper & Marietta Smith) (3:12)
Sometimes I Wonder (3:25)
Push Right Through (feat Andy Cooper & Marietta Smith) (3:26)
Treat You Right (3:22)
Take Another Look At It (feat Marietta Smith) (4:32)
Review: This is the sixth album by the Bristolian production duo The Allergies (DJ Moneyshot and Rackabeat), widely known for their funky, hard-hitting hip-hop originals. With cameos from the likes of Bootie Brown, Andy Cooper, and Dele Sosimi, their latest album 'Tear The Place Up' is a rollicking whirl, and has rightfully been touted as "hip-hop meets Tarantino", with many a cheesy thriller film reference and floor-shaking beat in tow.
Review: Nestor Alvarez, known for his vibrant fusion of sounds, brings forth Melting Pot - an album embodying his diverse musical influences on the always good value Original Gravity label. It finds Alvarez delve into the core essence of his music, capturing the raw energy and authenticity that define his sound across eight party ready cuts. From Latin rhythms to electronic beats, Alvarez seamlessly blends several genres, creating a trip that transcends boundaries and eras. Some are fiery and upbeat, others are more slow burning funk but all of them are testament to Alvarez's innovative approach to music production and showcase his ability to craft dynamic compositions that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Review: Initially released in South Africa in 1982, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley's sophomore set is now regarded as a boogie-era Highlife classic. Here issued on CD for the very first time via Mr Bongo, the album features the Ghanaian star brilliantly joining the dots between driving disco-funk, jazz-funk, intoxicating slow jams, calypso, dub reggae and his beloved highlife. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, with standouts including heavy percussion jam "Simigwa", the boogie-dub skank of "Adwoa", the down-low grooves of "Walking Down The Street" and the killer disco highlife anthem "It's High Life". Simply essential.
Review: 1975's "Simigwa" album not only launched the career of Afro-funk fusionist and eventual Highlife great Gyedu Blay Ambolley, but also inspired a Ghanaian dance craze. The album was co-produced by another Highlife great, Ebo Taylor, and has long been exceptionally hard to find on vinyl. For this official vinyl reissue on Mr Bongo, Ambolley's landmark set has been fully re-mastered for the very first time. It sounds spectacular, with great clarity on the ear-catching brass solos, serious weight to the bass and superb stereo separation. Highlights include - but certainly aren't limited to - the Afro-blues brilliance of "Toffie", the jaunty dancefloor fuzziness of "This Hustling World" and the heavyweight swing of ear-catching opener "Kwaakwaa".
Review: Eraserhood Sound present the debut album from Angelo Outlaw, a Philadelphia-based mallet percussionist and poet with serious chops in the sweet spot where spiritual jazz and heavy funk collide. Axis Of Time has been crafted as a vehicle for escapism, propelled by transcendent instrumentation to reach celestial heights across 11 exquisitely rendered compositions. The sparkling vibraphone rubs up against fuzzed-up guitar lines, underpinned by the infectious groove of the rhythm section for a standout excursion from a vital new talent in the field of life-affirming jazz funk. Just take the dizzying highs of lead single 'Free My Mind' as an instructive route into this exploratory, deeply-rooted record.
Review: Axis of Time is the stunning debut album from Philadelphia mallet percussionist and poet Angelo Outlaw. Featuring Eraserhood Sound's signature synth & soul production, the LP is a dazzling blend of jazz, rare groove, funk, soul and r&b. Outlaw's statement of intent is to transport the listener to a dissociated, dream-like state; a retreat into a fantasy from which one may not wish to return. That of a sonic holiday is indeed the vibe of this vibraphonic virtuosum, with landscapes of flute, wah-pedalled guitars and, of course, bell-like harmonies played by Outlaw himself, all evoke the sense of riding on the back of a paradisiacal bird, and into the anaesthetic distance.
Review: As it is often best done in soul, contemporary band Annie & The Caldwells are a family affair, channelling the depths of heartache and euphoria through danceable Mississippi-born bombasts. Lead vocalist Annie Caldwell leads the band alongside her husband of 50 years Willie Joe Caldwell, and is backed by children Deborah, Anjessica, Toni, Willie Jr. and Abel. Juggling hard work with harder musical playing, Can't Lose My Soul takes aim at modern day soul greatness, documenting quotidian struggles and everyday joys in song, and centring their concept on their locality of Main Street, West Point, Mississippi, where the family have run various businesses for decades. With a record this rooted in community, who better to rep the Southern soul set than the Caldwells?
Review: When Danilo 'MCDE' Plessow and Bobby van Putten established their Space Grapes label last year, it was their stated intention to present 'the best in contemporary live dance music'. What they meant, we suspect, was releases like this debut album from van Putten's Another Taste combo - a four-piece whose colourful and sonically authentic sound rooted in boogie, 80s electrofunk and obscure, private press disco. The results are undeniably impressive, sounding something like a long-lost album from 1983 - complete with kaleidoscopic synths, soulful vocals and killer basslines - of the kind that dusty-fingered crate diggers consider a 'holy grail'. Highlights include the Plessow co-produced boogie brilliance of 'Anything You Want' and the funky bassline driven mid-tempo disco-soul of 'Time Is On My Side'.
Review: Freestyle Records reissues The Apples Kings a full decade and a half after its first release. This version has been fully remastered and re-cut for an even more dynamic sound to remind why the landmark album was so special. It was a first for the band who crafted it with specific collaborators in mind and worked with funk legend Fred Wesley and Israeli world music icon Shlomo Bar In fusing elements of The JB's funky foundations, soul, dub, and Middle Eastern influences, they cooked up a genre-defying mix filtered through The Apples' unique decks-horns-bass-drums lineup. These unmistakable, floor-shaking grooves are just as potent today as they were in 2010.
Review: First released in 1980 via the little-known Pick Up Records, Danish jazz-rockers Ariel's self-titled debut record sees an unlikely reissue via Jazz Room here. A worthy reintroduction of the quintet to the world at large - where before it wasn't well-known at all - it comes after the album was recently hepped to by none other than Brownswood aficionado Gilles Peterson, whose encyclopaedic internal memory bank and capacity to chin-wag served the cascading recollection of the album by Jazz Room label boss Paul Murphy. Now the eight-tracker dazzles us once more, fusing jazz with subtle elements of kraut and kosmische to make for bustling, brimming urban fugs, all hemmed together by a consistent baritone sax, and the vocal pyrotechnics of Hawaiian singer Lei Aloha Moe.
Review: Jazz maestro and Ezra Collective founding member Joe Armon-Jones presents his most ambitious solo project to date, released on his own fledgling imprint Aquarii Records. After a six-year gap since his last solo album, Turn To Clear View, Armon-Jones has spent his time touring, building a studio, and collaborating with icons of UK jazz, including Liam Bailey, Fatima, Prince Fatty, and Mala over a string of politically-charged EPs. Now All The Quiet promises an august jazz opera in two parts, and so coming complete with an interval, crossing twixt jazz, funk, dub, hip hop, and soul, the album is entirely written, produced, and mixed by Armon-Jones himself, and manifests as the first of a two-part album, featuring guests Nubya Garcia, Oscar Jerome, and Goya Gumbani.
Review: Mickey Stevenson signed to Venture Records and soon set to work on laying down a great collection of new music. The best of it is now collected together on this spec compilation which focusses on works made between 1967 and 1969. The title comes from his tune of the same name which also happened to the label's first big hit, despite not getting much play on national radio because it has the word 'funky' in the title, and has since been covered by Rufus Thomas for Stax, Tommy Strand for Fame and Jimmy Bee for Kent. The rest of the tunes are just as raw and impressively funky.
Review: Brazilian artist Lucas Arruda, is fast becoming a regarded figure in the Latin scene. 'Ominira' is his latest long player that once again, finds a home on the French label Favorite Recordings. An album full of rich sounding musical textures that cross boundaries and bridge many genres such as Latin, soul, house, jazz and pop. The vibrant summer jams 'The Bravest Heart' and 'Novos Planos' are A-side standouts that will surely excite veteran and new listeners alike, who are into World music. '4:28' and 'The Mountain' start the second side with some catchy instrumentals that give off memorable beachy 70s vibes. ' Projecoes' closes the album with one of the most soulful performances of the album. All and all, you have a wonderful sounding jazzy grooved piece that ups the expectation of what a Latin jazz album can be. Cafe Del Mar approved!
Review: Campania-based combo Asakaira has delivered a genuinely brilliant debut album here. Rooted in improvisation and the collective's combined love of jazz, Afrobeat, jazz-funk, hip-hop and the Afro-cosmic sounds that have long been a staple of Italy's underground music culture, the album's six original tracks (the seventh is an alternate 'Night' take on the jaunty, energetic and percussive 'Skijii') bristle with imagination and inventiveness. For proof, check the tropical disco delights of 'Night Tales', the head-nodding hip-hop-jazz of 'Chatting With You' and the dubby jazz-not-jazz shuffle of 'Moon Phases', a track that just intensifies and gets bigger as it progresses.
Review: The classic sound of British library music is the inspiration for this third volume in ATA's The Library Archive series. It's another magnificently seductive and sophisticated collection of funk, jazz, spy-thriller soundtracks, late-night lounge moments and evocative atmospherics. Blaxploitation era composers such as Willie Hutch and Melvin Van Peebles and the genius of Roy Bud are particular preference points in this one and each cut is brilliantly authentic and lovingly crafted. This series started back in 2019 and four years later it is still going strong.
Review: The music of David Axelrod is a rite of passage for many record collectors. The great composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalists crafted several seminal albums that all take you deep into gorgeous worlds of jazz, funk and library music with narratives you'd expect in film scores and emotion in high supply. Heavy Axe might be one of his best and so this welcome reissue is a timely reminder of that. Its sweeping strings, grand horns and orchestral arrangements ebb and flow with great drama and absorbing artistry so stick it on loud and give yourself over to its rare pleasures.
Review: Massive reissue incoming! BBE have answered many of our prayers with this long awaited repress of Roy's 1983 disco funk excursion "Silver Vibrations". A record that's currently fetching triple figures, this is the first time it's been repressed since it was released. Opening with the iconic whispered message of "Chicago", Roy takes us on a trip through his funkiest of quarters; the salubrious slap bass of "Lots Of Love", the Afrobeat staccato vocals and glock rocking vibrancy of "Silver Vibrations" and the dreamy cosmic jazz trip of "DC City" are just some of the highlights, all shared across the 12"s with no more than two tracks per side. Vibes that can't be slept on.
Review: This is the second part of Virgin Ubiquity: Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981and is again packed with tracks that are far more than unreleased findings from the cutting room floor. Each one serves as another feather in the bow of the virtuoso Ayers, who combined jazz, funk, soul and disco in magical and unique ways throughout his career. In doing so he laid down a precursor to acid jazz and hip hop. These are tracks that show off his dynamic, liquid rhythm sections and mellifluous keys, as well as the vocal talents of a range of collaborators who touch on soaring and sensuous highs as well as more gravel and earthy lows. Essential.
Review: Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the enigmatic steel pan group from Hamburg, made waves in 2024 when their cover of 50 Cent's 'PIMP' was featured in the Oscar-winner film Anatomy Of A Fall. The track played a key role in the movie's success and led to the first-ever steel pans in the orchestra pit at the Academy Awards, further boosting the band's saliency. And yet despite global recognition, 'PIMP' is just a glimpse of their catalogue, which is already rather extensive. Since signing with Big Crown in 2014, Bacao've released four albums and numerous singles, and Big Crown Vaults Vol. 4 flaunts many of these dishings-out, with covers of Bob James' 'Nautilus', Khruangbin's 'Maria Tambien', and the uptempo original 'Kaiso Noir'. It serves as a tantalizing bud-whetter, too, before their oncoming fifth studio album.
Review: The latest must-cop record from the good people at Big Crown is a real summer special. Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band serve up some seriously soul-enriching grooves, with the impossibly warm and good time vibes that come from steel drums on each and every one. The beats are rooted in funk, with fat bass and expressive horn work bring each one to life. There are sojourns into dub, disco and jazz, and the whole thing bris with so much character and personality that it cannot but put a smile on your face.
Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band - "Scorpio" (4:03)
The Jimmy Castor Bunch - "It's Just Begun" (3:41)
BT Express - "Energy Level" (3:46)
James Brown - "Get On The Good Foot" (4:06)
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force - "Planet Rock" (6:26)
Manu Dibango - "Soul Makossa" (4:24)
Esther Williams - "Last Night Changed It All" (4:23)
The Mohawks - "The Champ" (2:38)
Herman Kelly & Life - "Dance To The Drummer's Beat" (4:13)
Spanky Wilson - "Sunshine Of Your Love" (3:40)
James Brown - "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose" (6:11)
Candido - "Soulwanco" (4:12)
Arthur Baker - "Breaker's Revenge" (4:53)
Manu Dibango - "The Panther" (2:29)
Abaco Dream - "Life And Death In G & A" (2:19)
The Jackson 5 - "Dancing Machine" (3:29)
Mongo Santamaria - "Cloud Nine" (5:42)
Edwin Starr - "I Just Wanna Do My Thing" (5:18)
Badder Than Evil - "Hot Wheels The Chase" (3:01)
Review: Curated by the legendary producer Arthur Baker, Breakers Revenge is a comprehensive compilation of original funk, soul, Latin, disco and electro tracks from 1970-1984. These tracks, ranging from well-known classics to hidden gems, have become legendary in the world of breakdancing. Featuring seminal tracks like Dennis Coffey's 'Scorpio', The Jimmy Castor Bunch's 'It's Just Begun' and Afrika Bambaataa's groundbreaking 'Planet Rock', this collection embodies the essence of breakdancing culture. The percussive breakdowns and infectious beats of these tracks have not only been the soundtrack to countless block parties and park jams but have also been sampled by numerous hip-hop artists and producers. With extensive liner notes and track-by-track breakdowns, Breakers Revenge is perfect time capsule for fans of breakdancing, hip-hop and music enthusiasts.
Review: It's no mean feat to win awards with your debut album, but Bala Desejo did just that when they scored big at the Latin Grammys. As soon as you hit play on Sim Sim Sim you'll understand why, as the Rio de Janeiro band demonstrate their canny blend of 60s tropicalia, 70s psychedelia and MPB. It's pure pleasure music, full of wistful escapism and aching beauty, and in drawing so naturally on the best of Brazilian music culture through the ages, they've made something truly woven into the fabric of their home country. Spearheading a new wave of music and art from Rio de Janeiro, Bala Desejo have everything you could possibly want from a new Brazilian project, and more besides.
For The Record (feat Ohmega Watts & Ozay Moore) (4:07)
Afterglow (4:06)
Bored (feat Reginald AK) (2:58)
Midlife Glow (feat Ozay Moore) (3:53)
Better Than That (4:52)
Review: Melbourne funk and soul talents The Bamboos have now been blazing their own trail for almost a quarter of a century. This Is How You Do It makes their 11th studio album and shows the nine piece collective still has plenty to say for itself. Although at times this hints at a new direction, the album also bares all the hallmarks fans have come to love and expect from the group with Lance Ferguson's soulful production and effortless groove paired with the potent vocals of Kylie Auldist. Guest MCs from the US (Ozay Moore and Ohmega Watts) feature as do some boogie and disco tinged singles like 'Ex-Files'.
Review: Hailing from Salerno in Southern Italy, Bando Maje present their debut album on Four Flies Records. UFO Bar paints a picture of the pair's interests and experiences such as the local landscape, Neapolitan music, Italian soundtracks from the 70s, as well as B-movies, a passion for vinyl and cassette mixtapes, and afternoons spent watching third-division football. Peppe Maiellano (composer and keyboards) and Tonico Settanta (producer, rapper and DJ) head up the collective, featuring a revolving cast of members, all of whom are a bit like the lively port city they are from.
Review: Chris Bangs is widely, albeit not so, known for coining the term 'acid jazz'. If it weren't for him it's likely we wouldn't have modern day future jazz pushers like Soul Jazz or Brownswood. This new compendium, 'Firebird', charts the DJ and producer's latest sonic explorations, blurring the boundaries between every influence from contemporary jazz, UK electronic dance, and Latin dance styles from bossa nova to salsa. It also contains several examples of what is known as his 'East Coast' sound, which pays homage to the fusion of jazz and funk and which spread throughout UK nightclubs as far back as the early 80s.
Review: Acid jazz pioneer - and "acid jazz" coiner (!) - Chris Bangs returns with a brand new album for 2024, 'Dream World', which follows on from his early 2023 release 'Firebird'. Corralling his friends - Argentine keyboardist Luciano De La Rosa, Italian Massimo Morganti on trombone, Chile's Juan Pi Salvo on trumpet, and Fabio Tiralongo on sax - together for a supergrouped set of nine Bangers, Dream World hears the artist transcend borders in a mondialised fashion, in doing so paying homage to many of his inspirational greats such as the Mizell Brothers, Wayne Henderson and George Duke, whom together produced the joint groundwork for the latter-day genre.
Review: Spanish Harlem, New York native Joe Bataan is a king of Latin soul and boogaloo who has brought plenty of freshness to those genres over the years. His Salsoul album found him breaking down new borders with American soul fused to Latin rhythms to compelling effect. The title comes from the fact the music mixes salsa and soul and marked a high watermark in the NuYorican scene. Standout cuts like 'Latin Strut' and 'Aftershower Funk' are included and more straight-up Latin jazz like 'Sunny Gets Blue Mambo' is also featured.
Joe Bataan - "Latin Soul Square Dance" (alternate version) (5:24)
Joe Bataan - "(Goodbye Adios) Roberto Clemente" (4:19)
Eddie Lebron - "My Vows To You" (feat Little David) (2:31)
Eddie Lebron - "Sigue Tu Vida" (3:42)
The Edwards Generation - "Someone Like You" (2:59)
The Edwards Generation - "School Is In" (2:57)
One Sy Mack - "Never Listen To Your Heart" (2:39)
One Sy Mack - "A Part Of A Fool" (3:00)
Review: Previously unreleased, Joe Bataan (real name Bataan Nitollano) recorded the bulk of the material making up Drug Story in 1972. This new, highly limited box set hears seven revered, rarely-heard gems of Latin jazz, deep soul, raucous boogaloo, and heavy salsa by the legend, most of which were largely salvaged from his very own self-run Ghetto Records vaults. Drug Story was inspired by true events, and hears Bataan croon graciously over themes of destitution, lost family members and friends, and addiction. One of three definitive reissues of Bataan's greatest works, licensed from Bataan himself, with his oversight and input into a 15 page oversized book by Pablo Yglesia,s that details Bataan's larger-than-imagination life and his little Latin label that could.
Review: Funky Kromong Vol. 2 builds on the success of its predecessor with another bold and bright selection of tracks by legendary Indonesian artist Benyamin Suaeb for Lamunai Records. This volume highlights Suaeb's genius for fusing traditional Betawi music with infectious funk grooves and witty satire. Tracks like 'Kompor Meleduk', 'Cong-Cong Balicong', and 'Koboi Ngungsi' capture his signature humour and cultural insight while offering fresh energy for new generations. The seamless blend of traditional and modern instruments results in a timeless soundscape that honours Indonesia's musical heritage. Vol. 2 is both a nostalgic tribute and a bold, joyful celebration of innovation.
Review: Library music maestro and original member of The Shadows Brian Bennett has a raft of sought-after records to his name, but this is surely one of the most prized. As with the best library music, the execution of the compositions is impeccable - like slipping on silken luxury leisurewear for your ears. The record has been a rich source for sampling over the years, so half the joy is in spotting licks and loops from your favourite tunes, but equally these disco-fied delicacies funk all on their own. Lovers of the Black Devil Disco Club vibe will be more than happy getting down to these tasteful cosmic groovers, unbelievably repressed for just the first time on Isle Of Jura since the original release in 1978.
Review: Don Beto was born in Uruguay and became one of the most forerunners of Soul Music in Brazil in 1979, he recorded "Nossa Imaginacao" LP wich featured arrangements by the legendary producer Lincoln Olivetti, and where we can listen to classics such as "No quero Mais", "Tudo again" and "Renascendo em mim". This album was awarded the Golden Globe in 1979.
Don Betto's "Nossa Imaginacao" attracts not only Brazilian Music Fans but also Soul, AOR.
Nzimande All Stars - "Sporo Disco" (Woody Bianchi edit) (7:02)
The Firebolts - "Firebolt Hustle" (3:12)
Aggression - "Tag" (Woody Bianchi edit) (6:06)
The Movers - "Onthekele Beer (Jwala)" (3:11)
World - "You Got The Power" (3:49)
Joe & Lee - "Black Gold Disco Moving Machine" (4:30)
Joe Pugliese - "Plie & Isolations" (5:21)
The Family Tree - "As" (4:27)
Pressure Point - "Straight To The Point" (3:21)
John Blair - "Momma Said Shut Up" (5:25)
The Headquarters - "Sweetie" (7:08)
Wylie - "Fan-Tasy" (Woody Bianchi edit) (5:12)
Cania - "Visions" (4:04)
Montreal - "Nite People" (2:45)
Review: Woody Bianchi, renowned funk digger and DJ, embarks on yet another archaeological record collection excavation, unearthing yet another volume of badass funk from the adjacent era of disco that emerged in the 70s and 80s. This is an in depth compilation series to say the least: the tracks are all examples of funk greats which reflected certain motifs from the disco explosion that came after it - even "James Brown had to take notice of the Saturday Night Fever". Several hard-to-find gems appear among ubiquitous classics, among extensive liner notes by Woody himself.
Review: Italian dance producer Gianni Bini debuts on Groove Culture with the House Of Glass LP, topping up his impressive discography with a solo studio effort, and bolstering the already massive stock of production credits attached to his bulging, insatiable name. Though his various monikers over the years have indeed propelled him in a many-a-direction, Bini's latest here centres on epic disco, and rewinds the tape to an earlier sound first explored in his formative days as a producer; retroactively, we hear a livelier, more contemporary take on the stabbing strings, bristling bass and bubblegum beats - all live-recorded - that first put him on the map.
Review: Described in the accompanying press release as "the halfway point between Bollywood and Balearic", Rupa Biswas' 1982 debut "Disco Jazz" has long been a favourite of dusty-fingered diggers with a healthy bank balance and a penchant for the quirky. All four tracks are cheery, charming and superior to many "Bollywood disco" records produced in the same period. The sunny disco-boogie of "Moja Bhari Moja" is followed on side A by the delightfully eccentric, bass-powered AOR-disco/funk-rock fusion of "East West Shuffle" and the effortlessly Balearic cheeriness of "Aaj Shanibar". Best of all, though, is the exotic and intoxicating flipside cut "Ayee Morshume Be-Reham Duniya" which expertly joins the dots between cosmic rock and Balearic disco grooves for 16 spellbinding minutes.
Review: The Black Truth Rhythm Band is renowned for its Afrobeat fusion - a sound that very much epitomizes the vibrant spirit of 1970s funk and soul. Their iconic album 'Ifetayo (Love Excels All)' stands as a testament to their musical prowess and social consciousness. It has been fully remastered here with all its pulsating rhythms, infectious brass, and impassioned vocals transcending time to deliver a message of love and unity. Rooted in the African diaspora experience, the band's music serves as a rallying cry for social justice and cultural pride. Ifetayo remains a timeless work that still resonates with audiences worldwide thanks to its potent blend of groove and meaning.
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