Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Don Blackman's 1982 self-titled debut is an underrated jazz-funk gem that fuses soul, funk and jazz-fusion into a sophisticated groove-laden journey that was produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen for GRP Records. The album showcases Blackman's keyboard wizardry and soulful vocals across standout tracks like 'Heart's Desire' and 'Holding You Loving You.' With playful cuts like 'Yabba Dabba Doo,' it balances polish with joyful experimentation and though not a commercial hit, its influence has quietly grown and ir has been sampled by hip-hop greats and revered by collectors alike. This reissue reaffirms its status as a cult classic and a crucial slice of 80s funk.

Review: American funk and r&b band Chocolate Milk made their mark in the early 1970s and released their self-titled album in 1976. Produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint who was known for his work with Lee Dorsey, The Meters, and Dr. John, the album blended funky rhythms, soulful melodies, and socially aware lyrics. It featured the single 'How About Love' along with standout tracks like 'You've Got Your Spell On Me' and 'Let The Music Take Your Mind.' Praised for its energy and creativity at the time, the album solidified Chocolate Milk's reputation in the funk and soul scene and sounds as good here as ever.

Review: A pivotal figure in the early 1970s MPB scene, Salvador was not only a highly regarded sessionist and composer but also a band leader. His 1971 album is a vibrant mix of bossa nova, samba, funk, and carioca styles, infused with raw energy. Original copies of this influential fourth album often fetch around $200 due to its eclectic range. From the lively opener 'Uma Vida' to the Beatles-esque narrative of 'O Rio' and the orchestral boogaloo of 'Number One', the album showcases Salvador at the height of his fusionist creativity and musical prowess.

Review: The reissue of Earth, Wind & Fire's Greatest Hits album brings so many timeless classics back to the fore while celebrating the iconic band's soulful blend of funk, r&b and disco which so defined an era. This collection captures their iconic tracks like 'September,' 'Boogie Wonderland' and 'Shining Star' and shows the vibrant brass, infectious rhythms and harmonies that made them such legends. Remastered for enhanced audio quality, the reissue invites listeners to experience these chart-toppers with fresh clarity s is a must-have to experience the energy and spirit of one of music's most influential bands.

Review: Eddie Harris was an iconic American jazz musician who revolutionised the genre by introducing the electrically amplified saxophone. With a prolific career spanning over 50 albums, Harris seamlessly blended jazz with funk, earning Grammy Award nominations for two of his groundbreaking records. Among them, the 1983 release People Get Funny..s' stands out. Featuring tracks like 'People Get Funny When They Get A Little Money' and 'La Carnival' which exemplify his signature jazz-funk fusion with captivating vocals and scatting, it las has other gems like 'Silver Plated,' which showcase a more traditional jazz-hard-bop style. Accompanied by talented musicians like drummer Carl Burnett, electric pianist William S. Henderson III, and bassist Larry Gales, this limited edition release of People Get Funny... is pressed on translucent pink vinyl.

Review: Go For Your Guns by The Isley Brothers was originally released in 1977 and now gets reissued by Music On Vinyl on lovely translucent blue wax in limited quantities. Spanning over eight decades, The Isley Brothers boast one of the most enduring and diverse careers in music history. Originating as a trio in 1954 from Cincinnati, Ohio, the group, comprising O'Kelly Jr., Rudolph, and Ronald Isley, has sold over 18 million records in the U.S. alone. Their 15th album, Go For Your Guns, soared to No. 1 on Billboard's Top Soul chart and No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Notably, it features 'Footsteps In The Dark,' sampled by Ice Cube for his hit 'It Was A Good Day,' which itself reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-hop Songs chart.

Review: "Of all the many noble attempts of the prog rockers to create a grand compositional style which blended elements from classical music with rock, none, in my view, ever reached the intensity, complexity and raw savage excitement of the great Magma masterworks." When you make music that feels like the love child of a rock & roll musical, gospel choir, Frank Zappa and Ziggy Stardust, why should anyone expect you to be even remotely humble when describing your own back catalogue. Magma's 1974 epic is nothing short of batshit crazy in the true sense - bordering, perhaps sprinting well beyond, the point of genius and capable of rendering any room speechless. A stunning example of how wild, exploratory and experimental the music industry was once so proud to be.

Review: KC

Review: The Modulations released their album It's Rough Out Here in 1975, not only impressing both industry and laity with the singles 'Rough Out Here and 'I Can't Fight Your Love', but also spurring the considerable career of a funk quartet whose merit outdoes their reputation alone. The Modulations recorded extensively with MFSB, the house band of the famed record label Philadelphia International; these sessions yielded this album, one considered a gem of 1970s soul music. Exemplary of the long, wistful titles of the Philly funk era and beyond, the titular roughness of the record is also nonetheless embedded in a sea of audible Romance; the Modulations' hard knocks don't exclude the necessity of letting emotion in, with 'Head On Collision With Heartbreak' being an indelible example of this sense of being swept up in one's own emotions in the face of heartbreak, away from the perseverance aesthetics of "gritty" realism one might expect from a title like this.

Review: Idris Muhammad, a prominent American jazz drummer and bandleader, has left an indelible mark on contemporary music as one of its most sampled drummers. His 1976 album House Of The Rising Sun likely fuelled this reputation, thanks to Muhammad's impeccable rhythmic precision. Renowned for his tight, rubbery style, Muhammad's mastery shines through in the six long jazz-funk tracks on the LP. Each piece showcases his unwavering commitment to the craft, delivered with ultra-crisp quality. Despite his acclaim, it's doubtful Muhammad ever faced flying cymbals during his illustrious career, a testament to his undeniable skill and professionalism.

Review: In 1982 L.J. Reynolds released his second solo album Travelin', which was a split production between Reynolds and Don Davis. This classic soul album includes "Trust In Me", "Say You Will" and "Call Me", the latter being written by Aretha Franklin. Travelin' features guest performances by Bernie Worrell and William "Bootsy" Collins. A classic soul album for your ears' sultrier side.

Review: American r&b and funk band Tower of Power hail from Oakland, California and have had several lead vocalists, the most notable being Lenny Williams. Their most successful album was their self-titled third long player in 1973 - the first Williams featured on. It went gold in the US and has their most well-known single 'So Very Hard to Go' alongside plenty of other silky soul sounds that go from the downbeat and string-laced wallowings of 'Will I Ever Find A Love?' to the more funky and upbeat grooves of 'Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground.'