Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Yasuko Agawa's 'L.A Nights', a glossy 1986 single inspired by Light of the World's earlier dancefloor hit 'London Town', has long been regarded as a Japanese 'city pop' classic. It was also a big favourite amongst dancers on the UK's jazz-funk and soul scenes - thanks to a British issue on Bluebird - during the period, too, making this reissue extra appealing. Excitingly, this edition leads with a previously unreleased extended mix that wonderfully stretches out the tactile, laidback, synth-sporting jazz-funk number. The bassline, vibraphone solos and lead vocal from Agawa - sounding more like a Black American jazz singer than a Japanese popstar - are all superb. It comes backed by two fine B-sides: the classic, late-night vocal jazz of 'But Beautiful' and the stirring, up-tempo 'New York Afternoon'.

Review: Placebo isn't the indie band you're thinking of, but rather a jazz and progressive rock band from Belgium that is headed up by the legendary keyboardist and composer Marc Moulin. This 12" is a three track collection of live tracks recorded way back in 1973 from a live TV performance the group made. 'Planes' is a busy one with spy-theme leads and dramatic trumpets next to racing rhythm sections. 'Only Nineteen' is a more mellow groove but one that still explodes to life on rousing riffs and synth work. 'Showbiz Suite' closes out in mysterious fashion and keeps you coming back for more.

Review: 7" BOXSET EDITION! Having fulfilled his reggae ambitions, Snoop returns to the source with this incredible homage to the original funk that hip-hop spawned from. Referencing Bootsy Collins with his new moniker, he's teamed up with one of Stones Throw's most consummate funk purveyors Dam Funk. We don't need to tell you the result; authentic, sexy and smooth, it's a time machine that whisks us back to the late 70s and early 90s. From the dreamy textures and overdubbed harmonies of "1Question?", the shiny proto-R&B mothership moment "Do My Thang", everything about this screams class. Timeless funk made by two masters, we guarantee this will sound just as hot in 10 or 20 years.

Review: This Record Store Day, US label Mochilla are reissuing a record that first landed in 2010 but has been out of print for five years. The Timeless Series captured the enduring impact that various different artists had on the world do ship hop. It is all live music that features orchestrated performances by Ethiopia's great Mulatu Astatke and famous Brazilian star Arthur Verocai. There is also the mesmeric Suite For Ma Dukes, which is a tribute to her son, James "Dilla" Yancey, by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. What a collection for funk lovers who also appreciate their history.

Review: One of the most popular and influential groups in popular music, The Bee Gees' career spanned five decades, five Grammys and eight platinum albums-but until now, the group's extraordinary catalogue has never been upgraded. Reprise begins its complete restoration of their repertoire with 2xCD expanded remasters of their first three internationally released albums. 'The Studio Albums 1967-1968' is the definitive overview of the 5-piece Bee Gees line-up that shot to stardom in the late 60s: harmonising brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, and Australian musicians Vince Melouney and Colin Petersen. The revitalisation of these three early albums marks the first time the group has opened their extensive tape vaults for archival mining. On Bees Gees' 1st, Horizontal and Idea, the musical genius of the Bee Gees now sounds better than ever. Each reissue features the original album remastered in stereo and mono, plus a second disc of rare and unreleased tracks pulled for the first time ever from the Bee Gees' tape vaults. In-depth liner notes feature brand-new interviews from Barry and Robin Gibb. The Booklets also feature rare and previously unseen photos. The deluxe gatefold digipaks are in individually numbered limited-edition slipcases. Bee Gee's 1st, originally released in 1967, reached #8 on the UK Album chart and includes "To Love Somebody," "New York Mining Disaster 1941," and "Holiday." Disc 2 features 14 previously unreleased tracks, include alternate versions of most of the album cuts plus the recorded debut of "Gilbert Green," "House Of Lords," "All Around The Clock," and other ultra-rare recordings. "Horizontal", which debuted in early 1968, introduced the signature hit "Massachusetts," a chart-topper in Britain as well as the standouts "World" (a global hit), "Words," "Harry Braff," and the psychedelic title track. Disc 2 features thirteen rarities including nine previously unreleased tracks, among them "Out Of Line," "All My Christmases Came At Once," plus the medley "Silent Night/Hark The Herald Angels Sing" (one of only two songs in this box that doesn't feature a Gibb songwriting credit). "Idea" followed in August 1968 and broke the Bee Gees into the US Top 10 singles chart for the first time with the classics "I've Got To Get A Message To You" and "I Started A Joke". Disc 2 includes alternate mixes of "Idea," "Kitty Can," and "Let There Be Love," the film songs "Chocolate Symphony" and "Gena's Theme," plus, two previously unissued Coca Cola commercials.

Review: Ethiopian jazz mastermind Kibrom Birhane presents his latest album 'Here And There', a spiritual-cosmic meditation on indeterminacy. With a full ensemble of brass, chordopone and voice, and with Birhane manning a good bulk of the instruments we hear (piano, organ, krar, talkbox), this project expands on Birhane's roots, drawing on his absorption of thousand-year-old Ethiopian orthodox chanting as a child, as well as his talent at handling the region's most esoteric instruments.

Review: Although acclaimed by critics as Roy Budd's most impressive scores, the British composer's soundtrack for Michael Winner's 1973 crime thriller The Stone Killer has long been almost impossible to find - in part because it was only ever released in Italy and Japan. This reissue then is long overdue. The originally released soundtrack - a subtly synth-laden fusion of Blaxploitation style funk, spy-movie chic, jazz-funk, suspenseful orchestration and typically quirky musical eccentricities - can be found stretched across both sides of record one, with the second disc gathering together previously unreleased outtakes, alternative mixes and unheard compositions. These are by and large every bit as good as those tracks that originally made the cut and genuinely enhance the quality of the release.

Review: DJ Nu Mark is best known as one of the producers for West Coast hip-hop heroes Jurassic 5, but he keeps himself busy outside of those duties with a devoted studio practice in search of killer grooves by any means necessary. Last year he created the Creme De La Crate pack for use in Ableton Live, using vintage recording techniques and years of studio prowess to deliver heavyweight drum hits, breaks, loops and fills. Now he's committed some of those sounds to wax, giving turntablists something to get busy with if they like to do things the good old way. Here's hoping we get to see some seriously skilled jugglers creating patchwork delights from these dope beats and breaks.

Review: Originally released in 1972, Dr John's fifth album is an upfront tribute to his inimitable hometown of New Orleans. A collection of covers, tracks chosen from the almost-endless archives of classic blues, jazz and creole tracks that have come out of the Big Easy over the preceding century or so. It also marked something of a character and stylistic sidestep for the legendary Louisiana player. Building a cult following and rather unique reputation for his eccentric stage performances and often pretty left-of-the-middle songwriting and arrangements, by comparison Dr John's Gumbo plays it much straighter, making this an authentic and respectful tribute to rhythm and blues as it has long been played. That's no criticism - the same masterful musicianship remains very much intact, while the personality still shines through. Simply put, the songs have been done again and again, but this album could only be Dr John.

Review: To celebrate Fourplay's 30th Anniversary, the evosound label has put together this limited edition reissue with a gatefold sleeve on fresh blue wax. It is of course the work of celebrated jazz instrumentalists Bob James on keys, drums from Harvey Mason, Nathan Eat on bass and Lee Ritenour on guitar. Despite the heavyweight line-up it came together rather surreptitiously without any grand plan. The band's biggest success was hit single 'After The Dance' which was No. 1 in America's Contemporary Jazz charts for the best part of 10 months. A long version of that is included here along with all the other originals from the album.

Review: The Lawson Entertainment label out of Japan is having a busy month with two volumes of Best of Mondo Grosso albums landing as well this collection of remixes of Michale Jackson. If you are brave enough play these in the current landscape, and you find an equally sympathetic audience, then they could well do plenty of great things to your dance floor. There are drawn out, beat heavy remixes of tracks from all throughout the former King of Pop's career stitched into a lush reggae framework.

Review: Goodge is back with more deep and pressing funk sounds, this time with his Echoes of yesterday long player. As the title suggests, it finds him offering up a view on music's past influences at the same time as showing off his genuine respect for what has gone before. Across the 12 tracks, he goes into lush late night and jazzed up sound worlds where melodies lodge themselves deep in your brain and the funky drums keep you moving. It's an expansive world of emotion and a superb showcase of the artists ability to transcend time and space with his take on the roots of the sounds.

Review: Those interested in Japanese cartoons should know Space Adventure Cobra. First broadcast in 1982, it is now considered one of the country's finest animated TV series. This triple-vinyl box set celebrates Kentano Haneda and Yuji Ono's music from the series, combining compositions featured on the show with unheard extended versions and tracks that never made the cut first time round. Musically, it's a mix of Japanese disco, sax-sporting lounge jazz, jazz-funk, neo-classical movements and eccentric interludes, all doused in layers of cosmic dust and stargazing colour. The release also comes packaged with a 12-page booklet telling the story of the series and the making of the appealing, endlessly entertaining soundtrack.

Review: Fuzzy Haskins was an original member of Parliament-Funkadelic, and you can hear his voice plastered all over some of the most vital recordings from the early era of Geogre Clinton's P funk phenomenon. Unfortunately Haskins quit the group in 1977, but he managed to leave his mark in this most vital of funk mythologies. His debut album is a cult classic with all the hallmarks of P funk at its best, with Bootsy on bass, Bernie on keys to name but a few. It's a glorious burst of brilliance for any funk freak to get hyped about - just listen to 'Which Way Do I Disco' and get it on.

Review: Jazz drummer and bandleader Takeshi Inomata made some terrific records over the course of his career, though few are quite as dazzling and incendiary as Sounds of Sound Ltd, his 1970 set with regular studio band Sound Ltd. Appearing at a time when the boundaries between jazz, jazz-funk and jazz-rock were becoming increasingly blurred, the set delivers good grooves, mazy solos and life-affirming musical motifs in equal measure. Throw in a wealth of energetic, on-point drum solos from Inomata and you have a set that sounds every bit as righteous and inspired in 2021 as it did half a century ago.

Review: Japanese jazz drummer Akira Ishikawa recorded countless albums with backing band Count Buffalo, though few are quite as revered or sought-after as 1981 set African Rock. It was part of a series of Afro-jazz influenced fusion albums that the band recorded in the late '60s and early '70s, though few others are quite as musically dazzling, impeccably produced and impactful. Naturally, it boasts some heavyweight, floor-friendly workouts inspired by the earliest Fela Kuti records - see the superb 'Animals/Mnama' - but also a wealth of more considered, jazz-leaning compositions. Highlights in this latter category include opener 'Prayer/Sala, a slow burn delight full of lilting trumpet, hazy clarinet, fluid drums and yearning voices, and the cinematic jazz delight that is 'Dawn/Alfajiri'.

Review: This boxset includes all the dual disc singles. Each single comes with the complimentary video.

Review: Strut has managed to secure the rights to the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's rare funk and Afro gem, 'Malik,' which originally dropped in 1974. In 1971, the Bobby Boyd Congress, an undocumented Afro-American septet, ventured from the US to France, seeking new horizons. They transformed into Ice upon Boyd's return and then connected with producer Pierre Jaubert who helped to shape their sound amid Paris's vibrant African scene. Then again later renamed, this time as Lafayette Afro Rock Band, they delved into instrumental Afro-funk, birthing classics like 'Soul Makossa' and 'Darkest Light.' Initially overlooked, 'Malik' gained hip-hop acclaim, with 'Conga' and 'Darkest Light' becoming iconic samples. This meticulously remastered reissue celebrates Lafayette Afro Rock Band's musical legacy.

Review: Even without the vintage hardback book, bonus tracks and booklet, this is a great addition to any collection... Exploring a relatively recent but hugely rich period in American music history, Jukebox Mambo is an extensive window into the fusion of Cuban and Latin music and R&B and jazz during the 50s. Some of it barely gives a nod to R&B at all (Dave Bartholomew's "Shrimp & Gumbo" and Fay Simmons' "Big Joe Mambo") while others deftly combine the jazz swing and energetic arrangement of R&B with mambo rhythms perfectly. Highly collectable whichever way you look at it.

Review:  Mamiya Takako cut her teeth in late-'70s Japanese girl group Pao before striking out on her own with 1982 debut album Love Trip. Full of sweet, sugary, synth-laden pop songs that drew on then contemporaneous jazz-funk and soul sounds, the album sold relatively poorly at the time but is now considered something of a classic. It has been proceeded by a seven-inch single offering up two of the record's more sought-after cuts, but now this deluxe edition offers the ultimate collector's piece. It's packed with undeniably loved-up gems, FM synth sounds, soft focus sax solos and bubbly jazz-funk bottom-ends.

Review: In one of those instances where the soundtrack eclipses the film, Curtis Mayfield's Superfly stands tall as a career highlight from one of soul's all-time greatest. The blaxploitation film itself was solid, but the songs Mayfield wrote for it are pure perfection - an acerbic portrayal of street life in urban America that views its players with heart and understanding, a truly wise rumination on cause and effect set to some of the most transcendent funk playing imaginable. As well as the original album, this special double-disc edition features single mixes, instrumentals and alternate takes from the sessions, deepening the legend of this seminal work.

Review: Beastie Boy Mike D is back with another volume in this ongoing series on Mr Bongo. This latest one is jam-packed with 10 more sizzling selections many of which he has re-edited and remixed himself just for this boxset. They all come from the golden era of Brazilian music and in a limited edition clamshell box. Every single tune bangs to be honest but the likes of Sebastiao Tapajos Y Pedro Dos Santos's 'Cantico Del Agua' and Erasmo Carlos's 'E Preciso Dar Um Jeito, Meu Amigo' are particular highlights.

Review: To celebrate 30 years since their band first formed in 1991, Japan's pioneering Mondo Grosso has assembled a greatest hits collection that comes across two compilations, each on four sides of vinyl. Included are many of the biggest moments as well as new remixes and new mixes of key tunes, with a fresh remaster by the bands main man Shinichi Osawa himself. He was responsible for deciding which of the band's many tracks made the cut too so you can be sure it is as authentic as they come.

Review: Renowned DJ and selector MURO is a Jedi-level compiler and this new collection of his delves into Victor's extensive archives to spotlight a world of Japanese jazz, fusion and AOR. It take sin plenty of internationally known names like Yasuko Agawa on the sunset sounds of 'L.A. Night', Sadistics who offers the more psyched out guitar leans of 'On the Seashore', Yuji Ohno's neo-Balaeric bliss-out 'The Dawn of Seychells' and Hiroshi Fukumura's soul soothing Ry Ayres-style melodies on 'White Clouds.' These are luxurious sounds and timeless tracks with MURO's signature funky perspective making this a brillaint choice for brighter, warmer days.

Review: Amazingly, it's 25 years since George 'E.A.S.E' Evelyn and then production partner Kevin 'Boy Wonder' Harper sat down and recorded "Dextrous", their monstrous, bleep-era classic on Warp. A quarter of a century later, Evelyn is still going strong, though the grooves have mellowed a lot in that time. Here, Warp celebrate the producer's epic career with a much-deserved retrospective. All the familiar favourites are present, from the rush-inducing thrill of early dancefloor smashers "I'm For Real" and "Aftermath", to the sinewy downtempo goodness of the decidedly Balearic "Les Nuits", the blazed hip-hop dub of "195 Llbs" and stoner soul of "70s 80s".

Review: After the success of their Who Is William Onyeabor compilation last year, Luaka Bop have curated two ultimate collections that explore every nook and cranny of the near-mythical Nigerian dynamo who self-released eight albums between 78-85 before quitting music never to discuss his work publically again. Cherry picking the best elements of every genre (even ones of the future) Onyeabor's songwriting, coupled with some deliciously creative production techniques, still sound timeless now... The cosmic harmonies of "Heaven & Hell", the twitchy ESG-style punk-funk fusion of "Good Name", the calypso croons of "Crashes In Love", the list goes on. A true celebration of a unique man in African music, both this and Box Set 1 are fascinating documents.

Review: The hive of activity at Luaka Bop themed around the work of elusive Nigerian synth-funk pioneer William Onyeabor doesn't look like slowing down any time soon with the first of two comprehensive vinyl box sets arriving. First brought to wider attention on last year's hugely popular compilation Who Is William Onyeabor?, Luaka Bop's ongoing efforts have to be applauded here as five of the LPs the Nigerian artist self-released between 1977 and 1985 are remastered and made available officially for the first time. Onyeabor's debut LP Crashes In Love is present in it's originally mixed stereo form and along with four other albums, Luaka Bop make space for an additional 7", two booklets and MP3 download codes for all the music.

Review: This Price album was originally part of the 2023 Diamonds and Pearls Super Deluxe box set, but now the triple vinyl live recording arrives on standalone yellow vinyl in a fancy triple gatefold sleeve. It was initially captured on January 11, 1992, at Prince's Glam Slam club in Minneapolis and is a performance that showcases Prince and The New Power Generation at their creative peak, just ahead of their epic world tour. Spanning over 100 minutes and 14 tracks in all, the still electrifying set focuses on material from the Diamonds and Pearls era and includes a preview of the then-unreleased 'Sexy M.F.' to make for a fine snapshot of a new era in Prince's evolving sound.

Review: The one and only Ernest Ranglin has been referred to as one of the finest guitarists in the world on many occasions. He is maybe best known for his work with Kingston, Jamaica pianist Monty Alexander, with whom he cooked up the seminal reggae-jazz album Yard Movement. And on this one again they fine some fantastic form, fusing ska, jazz, reggae and rocksteady into bold new forms. Legendary jazz drummer Idris Muhammad also gets in on the act and helps to make this 1996 LP a real masterpiece.

Review: In their day, Rebirth Brass Band were New Orleans' premier brass ensemble and in 2001 they showed it with the fiery energy of their album Hot Venom. This record has never previously been available on wax and captures the band's signature blend of traditional brass sounds with their own take on modern grooves. Highlights include dynamic collaborations with rap legends Soulja Slim on the musically and socially hard-hitting track 'You Don't Wanna Go To War', and Cheeky Blakk on the unapologetically bold 'Pop That Pussy.' Wherever you turn here you're confronted with infectious rhythms and raw New Orleans energy that cannot be faked. Hot Venom really is the sound of a band at their innovative best and bridging musical worlds.

Review: Sharon Redd was at the heart of the Prelude sound at a time when they were on top of the world and dropping endless amounts of electronic disco heat. Her own standout hits include 'Beat The Street' which features here and lends its name to a collection of her many other still fresh tunes. Darryl Payne's production was behind some of these and this reissue comes on gatefold translucent blue and pink swirl vinyl with a special megamix mash-up of the highlights as the final tune.

Review: Despite being an ambitious and prolific artist back in the sixties and seventies, James Reese never realised an album of his works. The Trombonist, bandleader, songwriter, arranger and producer instead put out a series of 45s that were later discovered by Now Again boss Eothen "Egon" Alapatt. After one or two made it onto Stones Throw and Now Again anthologies he finally puts them all together on one spellbinding record. It covers a wide sphere of sound from hardcore soul to loved up funk via jazz flecked instrumentals. Kenny Dope even makes an appearance to mix "Throwing Stones" which helps makes this utterly essential.

Review: Japan's Hiroshi Sato is well known to record obsessives who value his ability to craft pure musical nostalgia for a place you haven't even been to, He has turnabout tens of essential records, many of which are in the process of being reissued right now. His masterful jazz-funk classic Orient is one of his best known works from 1979 but All Of Me is another classic. It came much later in 1995 and is a killer pop record with glistening synths, infectious drum programming and contributions from a number of guests.

Review: A very special Record Store Day release! XL unearths a collection of recordings that were made during the making of Gil's last album I'm New Here. Complete with a collection of his most memorable tracks, recorded without any overdubs and barely any studio complexities, it's a stark document that carries the weight of Scott Heron's troubled soul with raw, unfettered beauty. Limited to 3000 presses - never to be pressed again - this really is a truly thoughtful and respectfully created release that pays homage to one of music's most enduring individuals in every way.

Review: Working in partnership with Light in the Attic and curated by Grammy-nominated producer, DJ and journalist Kevin Howes this wonderful new collection chronicles a vital musical migration: in late-1960s Toronto, Caribbean immigrants infused the city with ska, rocksteady and reggae and recorded some of the era's toughest tracks. Originators from Studio One, Treasure Isle and Trojan Records all united and broke racial and cultural barriers to build an influential yet under-appreciated Canadian reggae scene that is now showcased with a 20-page booklet with archival images, artist bios and essays on this double vinyl set.

Review: Carl Marshall's musical journey spans over 30 years, but his popularity has surged in recent times. Raised in the vibrant music scene of New Orleans, Louisiana, Marshall played guitar in Sam & the Soul Machine, which was a group featuring talents like Aaron Neville and Cyril Neville. In 1976, he debuted with Movin' On under the name Soul Dog and it included the proto-rap track 'Soul Dog' delivered in a trucker's MC style. Beyond performing, Carl worked as a radio personality at Kiss 104.1 in Meridian, Mississippi and his enduring dedication has cemented his legacy in the world of soul and funk, as has this wonderful showcase of his sound.

Review: Transcendental outernational funk and psychedelic jazz sounds are what you get from the enigmatic LA-based collective, Sun Atlas. Their identities are shrouded in mystery behind masks and costumes which means the outfit prioritises musical unity over individual acclaim. Their eclectic fusion reflects a universal spirit, blending Afrobeat, cinematic soul, spiritual jazz, and Ethio jazz with hip-hop breaks and garage funk vibes. Their debut 45 single, 'The Mystic Parade' backed with 'Grand Theft' quickly sold out and was often mistaken for lost hip-hop samples or 70s habibi funk. 'Return To The Spirit' continues their journey into the unknown, with a full-length exploration of their colourful universe, housed in a deluxe handmade tip-on sleeve.

Review: Masayoshi Takanaki is a cult compeer and prouder with a full - to say the least - and accomplished discography. It stands at over 48 albums and over 300 other credits. Plenty of it gets reissued on a regal basis and next up is All Of Me from 1979. It takes in the disco influences of that era alongside jazz-funk, fusion and soul sounds with an array of talents helping him on bass, keys, guitars, drums, percussion and vocals. The playful cover art is no indication of the sophisticated sounds you will find within as arrangements swell, grooves sweat and melodies wash over you in blissful fashion.

Review: Funk is one of those sounds that is at the root of so many great records. It's an endlessly broad genre with scenes all over the world and many different iterations over the years. Wagram puts together a selection of what they think are the greatest ever funk records and they certainly do a good job of it. There are plenty of the names you would expect here, such as George McCrae's classic 'I Get Lifted' as well as Jimmy "Bo" Horne's 'Clean Up Man.' Patrice Rushen's 'Forget Me Nots' still sounds irresistible no matter how many times you have heard it and that is basically true of most of the music on here.

Review: Daptone has done a fantastic job of serving up authentic soul sounds that pay homage to the past but always bring something new. This time the US lab has put together a bumper collection that is made up of tunes from a live revue they hosted back in 2014. It has been done as part of the label's 20th anniversary and features label house bands, Menahan Street Band and The Budos Band. The show was performed and recorded over three nights in front of a sold out crowd at The World Famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

Review: Cairo Records push yet another volume of American soul music, featuring 24 songs about love, heartbreak, and loneliness spread over four sides and featuring extensive, insightful liner notes. Though the release is low-key and limited, it's clear that the label's collective hearts and souls have been poured into it; it's got no end of love-gushy slices of soul from Chris Clark, The Van Dykes, Etta James, and The Fascinations.

Review: Mali's musical culture has thus far not been celebrated in the same way as, say, Nigerian, Ghanaian or Ethiopian music, but as this excellent collection from Mr Bongo proves, the country has produced just as many cross-cultural classics as any other African nation. The 13 tracks stretched out across this double, blue vinyl LP provide a vibrant and colourful snapshot of Malian sounds of the sixties, seventies and eighties, flitting between organ-heavy psych-funk (Idrissa Soumaoro et L'eclipse De L'ija's 'Nissodia', bustling Afro-funk ('Mouodilo' by Rail Band), bluesy riffs on tropical dance styles (Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel De Bamako's 'M'bouram-mousso', Sorry Bamba's glistening and attractive 'Yayaroba') and, as the set unfolds, synth and drum machine-powered 1980s classics (Zani Diabate Et Le Super Djata Band's 'Fadingna Kouma'). In a word: superb.

Review: This expansive and lovingly assembled collection is chock full of rarities, classics, overlooked gems and weird and wonderful delights from the mid to late 70s music scene of Korea. Two of the 25 tracks have never before been released and the record comes with a four page booklet with liner notes providing great back stories. It's a treasure trove of Eastern funk, jazz, disco and soul from one of the darkest chapters of Korea's modern history under the Yushin dictatorship. Most of the tracks have been sourced from original tapes so sound raw and authentic and will improve your record collecting credentials by at least 87%.

Review: This package is ghetto fabulous, coming in a plain brown box with extensive liner notes about the tracks and what the edits were. The records will be stamped with the now infamous rubber stamps, although the b-sides of this edition will have a special stamp. This box contains the full ten Underdog Edits 12" records, including two that have not been released yet, plus one exclusive one-sided 12". Limited to 150 copies worldwide!

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: Often touted as a "masterpiece of jazz-funk live albums," The Wooden Glass's 1972 live recording proves it's more than just hype. Featuring vibraphonist Billy Wooten who previously played with Grant Green, this record was recorded at Indianapolis' The 19th Hole club and captures the essence of fusion driven by soulful 60s influences. Wooten's gentle melodies contrast with the gritty, distorted sound of Harold Cardwell's powerful drumming and Emmanuel Riggins' Hammond organ while the energetic performance from the band, including guitarist William Roach, creates a tapestry of intensity and dreamlike vibes. It's raw, electrifying, high-energy jazz.

Review: Denny Zeitlin is a US jazz maestro perhaps best known for his work on the Invasion Of The Body Snatchers soundtrack. On this release for Now Again, we get treated to an unreleased 1969 LP he recorded with Mel Graves and George Marsh, previously only available as an acetate or limited private pressing. It's a powerful and expansive work with Zeitlin's limber piano playing up front, but reaching across styles in a fusion which gets seriously funky in some places, positively cosmic in others. The title track alone is a 12-minute opus which will take you far and wide, like all the best jazz should.