Review: Unfairly labelled as a novel curio when they first emerged, the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band is a genuine expression of Mighty Mocambos man Bjorn Wagner's love of Trinidadian steel pan music. Their tracks - often, but not always, quirky cover versions - combined authentic funk instrumentation (drums, bass, guitar, horns) with the timeless and distinctive sound of steel drums. BRSB, the combo's fourth album, is another summery and effortlessly entertaining treat. Highlights include the inspired 'Love For The Sake of Dub' (an organic interpretation of Claudja Barry's slo-mo disco classic 'Love For The Sake of Love'), the breaker-friendly cheeriness and heaviness of 'Grilled', a wonderfully woozy and dubbed out stroll through the 'Stranger Things Theme', and the summer sunshine of 'Champion's Walk'.
Dennis Coffey And The Detroit Guitar Band - "Scorpio"
The Jimmy Castor Bunch - "It's Just Begun"
B.T. Express - "Energy Level"
James Brown - "Get On The Good Foot"
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force - "Planet Rock"
Manu Dibango - "Soul Makossa"
Esther Williams - "Last Night Changed It All"
The Mohawks - "The Champ"
Herman Kelly & Life - "Dance To The Drummer's Beat"
Spanky Wilson - "Sunshine Of Your Love"
James Brown - "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose"
Candido - "Soulwanco"
Arthur Baker - "Breaker's Revenge"
Manu Dibango - "The Panther"
Abaco Dream - "Life And Death In G & A"
The Jackson 5 - "Dancing Machine"
Mongo Santamaria - "Cloud Nine"
Edwin Starr - "I Just Wanna Do My Thing"
Badder Than Evil - "Hot Wheels"
Johnny Bristol - "Lusty Lady"
Review: With 'breaking' making its debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics, it seems an apt time to go back to where it all began and showcase some of the music that first made break-dancers move in the early years of hip-hop culture. Soul Jazz Records clearly agrees, hence this two-disc retrospective of early 'breaker' favourites curated by Arthur Baker - a man who's productions and remixes soundtracked many dancefloor battles in the early 80s. It's a suitably strong selection all told, with dusty funk, soul and funk-rock favourites (Johnny Bristol, James Brown, The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Spanky Wilson) being joined by disco-funk jams (Herman Kelly and Life), extra-percussive workouts (Manu Dibango, Mongo Santamaria, Candido) and a smattering of key Baker productions (Afrika Bambaata and Soul Sonic Force's 'Planet Rock' and his own infectious 'Breakers Revenge').
Review: Neville 'Breeze' McKeith is undoubtedly a legend of Black British music - albeit one not known to the majority of listeners. His CV is impressive; as well as being a founder member of jazz-funk outfit Light of the World, McKeith was also an integral member of Beggar & Co (known for disco hit '(Somebody) Help Me Out') and currently wields his guitar for The Brit-Funk Association. Unusually, this is only his second solo album, and arrives 41 years after his first. It acts as a showcase for his virtuoso guitar playing (he switches between lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar across the set), offering a mix of jazz-funk, fusion, contemporary jazz and soul songs and instrumentals. It's mostly new original material, but wisely McKeith has also included a handful of rather good interpretations of classic cuts.
Review: After years spent delivering heady fusions of deep funk and Afro-funk on Daptone Records, The Budos Band resurface on Diamond West, an imprint founded by two of the band's key members earlier this year. Their first missive on the California-based imprint is as rousing and fiery as ever, with their usual riotous and heavyweight sound being subtly expanded via nods towards psych-funk, Mariachi Band music and the funk-rock sound made famous by Sly and the Family Stone. The six scorching instrumentals on show are all superb, with our current favourites including the punchy 'The Devil Doesn't Care', the trippy solo-laden explosion that is 'KRITIN' and the deliciously psychedelic and suspenseful 'Curled Steel'.
Sayin It & Doin It Is Two Different Things (instrumental)
Back From The Dead (instrumental)
The Way To Get Down (instrumental)
Try It Again (instrumental)
I'm On The Move (instrumental)
I Got It (It's Been A Long Time Coming) (instrumental)
Never Get Enough (instrumental)
Sunshine (feat The Tower Of Power Horn Section)
Don't Throw Your Love In The Garbage Can
Review: Originally recorded and released in 1993, On The Move was the last studio album James Brown collaborator Bobby Byrd recorded during his lifetime. While it may have been recorded after Byrd's 1970s heyday, musically it offers full-throttle funk - albeit with slicker and more expansive musical arrangements - of the kind that he and Brown used to deliver in their sleep. It's a great set all told, with this (delayed) 30th anniversary edition also including instrumental versions of all eight original tracks. It also boasts a couple of rare non-album tracks recorded at the time: the slow-motion, horns-and-guitar solo laden 'Sunshine' and the effortlessly funky, low-down and addictive 'Don't Throw Your Love in the Garbage Can'.
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