Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Hailing from sunny California, funk/soul/jazz crew The Charities bring heart and grit to a track that delves into the intoxicating pull of a love destined to implode. The song paints a vivid portrait of a desriable yet destructive partner whose charm conceals a narcissistic core. With sharp, emotive lyrics and a bittersweet melody, it yearns for the intensity of love's highs and the sting of its inevitable downfall. It's a classic tale of attraction turning to heartache, delivered with a raw authenticity that lingers. Their third single since forming, 'Fatal Attraction' might just be their best yet, while on the flip side, 'It's Not Our Time' shifts to a softer, more reflective tone. This bittersweet ballad explores the ache of love interrupted, as two lovers part ways with the hope that time and distance will lead to a brighter reunion. The warmth of the band's instrumentation, coupled with tender, heartfelt vocals, makes this track a touching counterbalance to the A-side's intensity. The Charities' ability to channel deep emotion through timeless grooves is soulful storytelling at its finest.

Review: Hot on the heels of his acclaimed sophomore album A Lover Was Born, Kelly Finnigan makes a quick return with this soul-packed 7". The A-side, 'Get A Hold Of Yourself,' is a Northern soul-inspired stomper that channels the raw emotion of Memphis soul with heavy drums, syncopated guitars, bold horns and Finnigan's impassioned vocals. It tells the story of a rocky relationship where emotional strain disrupts physical connection then the B-side is a fresh bonus cut from the A Lover Was Born sessions inspired by Barbara & The Browns' Stax classic 'Hurts Me So Much'. It's a moody groove with gospel-infused vocals.

Review: For fans of classic soul like Lee Fields and Bobby Oroza, Kelly Finnigan's latest 45 is a pure delight. On the A-side, an upbeat Northern soul-inspired track from A Lover Was Born pulses with raw emotionisyncopated guitars and brass-powered intensity back Finnigan's story of a love in crisis. The B-side adds a bonus cut, evoking the 60s soul vibe of Stax Records with a deep, minor-key groove. Here, gospel-tinged harmonies and moody horns underscore Finnigan's heartache, capturing a timeless feel with modern passion.

Review: Ohio-based instrumental organ trio Parlor Greens, known for their blend of soul, funk and blues, return with a new 7" that follows their acclaimed debut from 2024. Side-1 features 'Driptorch', which is driven by crunchy drums from Tim Carman, funky guitar riffs by Jimmy James and Adam Scone's expressive Hammond organ. The track delivers a high-energy, groove-filled adventure. On Side-2 ,'200 Dollar Blues', introduces a fresh, mid-tempo instrumental. This blues shuffle highlights James' searing Stratocaster solos, complemented perfectly by Scone's soulful organ work. Their interplay exudes a raw, electrifying energy, while Carman's steady, dynamic drumming grounds the track, making this one for fans of deep soul and blues.

Review: Colemine Records is reissuing Orgone's 2008 classic Bacano on vinyl for the first time, here exclusively for Black Friday RSD 2024. Known for their raw, organic California soul, Orgone's music grabs you by the collar and pulls you to the dance floor. The band's journey began in the San Fernando Valley, where two friends, united by their love for gritty 60s and 70s soul, drew inspiration from the vibrant music scene in Los Angeles during the late 90s. This collaboration ignited a movement, and Orgone has since become a key player in delivering timeless funk for music lovers.

Review: A nine-piece instrumental combo hailing from San Diego, California, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble deliver a heady brew of jazz, funk and global rhythms on their latest offering. Recorded in their homebase of Lemon Grove, the album sees them expanding their sonic palette, drawing on library music, spiritual jazz and exotica. Tracks like 'Makin' Moves' and 'The Grifter' showcase the band's signature funk-driven energy, their tight grooves and soaring horns recalling the classic sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power. But there's a more introspective side on display too, with tracks like 'Mother Earth' and 'Freddie' evoking the spirits of Freddie Hubbard and Phil Ranelin, their introspective melodies and atmospheric textures adding a layer of depth and complexity. 'Corporatocracy' is a standout, its extended tabla solo and modal funk groove demonstrating the band's willingness to experiment with unconventional sounds and structures. This adventurous spirit is a hallmark of The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, a band consistently pushing the boundaries of their sound while remaining firmly rooted in the traditions of jazz and funk.

Review: The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, a soul and funk nonnet from San Diego, have long blessed the Colemine modern funk sceptre with crumbled parfaits of funk topped with crumbly analog psychedelia and Afrobeat. With their new album, they ravage fresher sonic territories. Recorded between 2021 and 2024 in Lemon Grove, California, Gemini centres on their already-laid breakbeat-heavy funk-soul-jazz foundation, heard in tracks like 'Makin' Moves' and 'The Grifter', but they also draw influence from library music, spiritually-inclined jazz and exotica adjacents. Personifying the astrological Gemini - curiosity, versatility - 'Corporatocracy' stands out as special, welding an extended tabla solo to a wordless critique of the world's most egregious mega-firms.