Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Ten Lovers always manage to find a perfect sweet spot between jazz and house on the music it serves up. This new various artists' effort proves the point well: Marcello Cassanelli lunches the trip with groovy and nodding bass synths and airy vocal cries on 'Fantasia.' Zarenzeit then sinks into a bubbly groove with killer drums and sun-worshiping synths before Stefano De Santis drops some excellent broken beast on his squelchy synth workout 'Song For George D.' Future Jazz Ensemble takeoff into the cosmos and Caruso gets romantic on 'Vestimenta'.

Review: The fourth in Numero's ongoing disco 12" series comes from the archives of the Bronx's Tap label. Found on a reel simply marked "Rub A Dub", the eight minute disco-rap achieved 'classic' status on our office stereo within an hour via its infectious whistles, key steps and synth vamps. Included here are the vocals and the extended instrumental form the Fabulous 3 MC's. Warning, this release in limited to 1000 copies!

Review: Earlier in the year, rare and unissued soul specialists Cordial Recordings offered up a fine album of previously unreleased recordings by Family of Swede, an obscure Oakland, California-based band who were briefly active in the mid 1970s. The label has now decided to follow this up by releasing the full, near 12-minute recording of album highlight 'Set Me Free', a deliciously spacey, slow-motion cosmic soul number that sounds like a Californian stoner's take on some of Cymande's most laidback and intergalactic work. It's rather brilliant all told, as is flipside opener 'Mellow', a synth-laden trip through up-tempo space-funk territory that's as infectious as Covid 19 at a student house party. 'Life', a funky slab of blue-eyed soul brilliance, completes a must-have EP.

Review: "Authentic afrobeat that sounds straight out of Lagos circa late 70s early 80's. Fans of Tony Allen’s solo recordings will love this, issued on 12" to give ample time to groove. It stands up against original and the best new afrobeat. One for the record collection." Martin Lawrie's review (soulgeneration - UK)
'Crache La Douleur' featuring Tony Allen was already playlisted by Gilles Peterson and many others, and is offered here in a totally new re-mastered version more powerful and percussive than ever. It will make you feel Fanga is playing in your living room. The highlight of this new release from Les Disques Cosmic Groove is the title track 'Noble Tree' featuring Segun Damisa, and the amazing remix version featuring Mike Ladd, who transcend the already terrific track in a totally new monster, adding a pinch of spiritual jazz feeling, a super dope dancefloor oriented broken beat and some joyful eerie female vocals. A totally new approach of the now standard Fanga's cut that demonstrates that Fanga has now become a super famous and talented band, and that The Cosmic Groove is a label you now have to consider as a super groove and beats seeker. An astral travelling from Lagos to France! Don't miss it .-D.O. 's Review

Review: New tunes taken from the upcoming album from this French Afrobeat crew on the Cosmic Groove label. If you like Antibalas then this is for you! Everybody who bought the first twelve inch from Fanga knows what time it is! Tony Allen didn't join the group for this record, but nonetheless it's a long funky trip in true style! Yes, we have to say it again, Fela Kuti mode...Pure spiritual African music. Great!

Review: The Fantastic Freeriding's "The Next Chapter EP" contains four flamin' new tracks by all Switchstance heads, painting the by now trademark collage of the label's various styles all anew in bright and shiny colours. Opening the EP is Gypsy Soul by Kabanjak - a dreamy yet percussive reflection that takes you right back to a campfire near the mediterranean shore. New March is pure Protassov: Beats, way fatter than his own bum, plus sounds, melodies and samples that go their own ways but always right forward. Deela here makes a glorious return (were they ever gone?) with Ghost Song, a fine specimen of broken beats that is sure to rock the more advanced dancefloors. Closing the EP is an uptempo funk track that was conceived right after Ancient Astronauts survived their first DJ trip to beautiful Greece - involving hardly any sleep, a near plane crash and totalling at a hectic 36 Hours. All tracks on the "The Next Chapter EP" are exclusives and not included on the album of the same name, to be released in July '06. "From spliffed up beats to jazzed out grooves, Switchstance is the source for dope tracks across the board!" - Fort Knox Five (USA) , "From Jazz to Cinematic sounds, from Rare Groove to Reggae and from Hip Hop to Post Rock: this is a trip and you'll go far beyond ! Congratulations for the album, this is really good!" - Kid Loco (FR), "Thank God for Switchstance! Mellow, deep, dubby freeriding for the folks out there that wonder what happened to Kruder and Dorfmeister. Now I've got my soundtrack for Summer!" - Gunnar Hissam (Om Records/USA), "I enjoy the many different shades & moods of the music presented here, hold together by a passion for funky hip-hop breaks & laidback atmospheres. Relaxed, soulful & deep while still danceable. I'm lovin' the whole compilation!" - David Borsu (Counterpoint Rec./B), "Switchstance Recordings continue establishing their unique sounds with another strong release. Respect!" - Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes/D), "Great label that always brings the funk!" - Rob Life (Breakin Bread Rec./UK), "Expect to see "36 Hours" as No. 1 in my next chart, it's a Jelly Jaz rocker cut!" - Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz/UK), "Amazing EP!!! Chart: #1 This really really blew me away! All amazing tracks but will be caining the '36 Hours' track this time next year! Fast & funky! will be in the box for a few months!" - Diesler (Tru Thoughts/UK.)

Review: The man with more beats than a Columbian drug lord has marching powder makes his debut release on Freestyle with "Audio Fdelity". Hailing from Perth Australia Fdel has been a name on the music scene down under for many years. Making his name with the Triple J playlisted "El Questro" in 2002, he's been steadily building his career as party rocker number one and sample slinger par excellence. Packed with more cuts and 'breakface' inducing hooks than you can shake a stick at, this one man production outfit is ably assisted by Downsyde's DJ Armee on the scratches. Finding it's home amongst the funk/hip hop/breaks scene, fans of Fort Knox Five, Dynamo Productions and Kraak & Smaak will not be disappointed with the bouncing breaks packed into tracks such as "Rocksteady", "Get Up On Ya Feet" and "Ladies And Gentlemen".

Review: One of Good Groove's most popular releases gets an exclusive repress on clear dark blue vinyl before the label ends its run of sample based funk-outs in order to focus on original output. Catskills artist Feature Cast gets busy with a bunch of accapellas including a certain woman of the ghetto over an uptempo horn heavy funk groove. On the flip the mysterious QDUP foundation drown a cavalcade of classic hip-hop samples over a loose mid tempo bump.

Review: The mighty DFA label has always come at dance music from a rock and indie perspective and for that reason has always brought plenty of new ideas to the dancefloor. Fernando Pulichino has long been at the heart of the operation with his fusion of rock, funk, and electronic beats and here he is again with more of the same. 'I Got, She's Got' is a raw, energetic track, while the remix offers clarity and rich arpeggios. 'She's Playing With Fire' with saxophone by Gustavo Buchiniz, meanwhile, adds another explosive element meaning that all three tracks deliver pure club-ready firepower.

Review: Having coaxed greats like Roy Ayres and Gwen Guthrie into the studio to collaborate, German producer Ferry Ultra has done it again by guiding Northern Soul legend Ann Sexton into the booth on "Rising Up". His album mix keeps faithful to the brassy and organic sounds of classic Northern Soul, but with enough sequenced beats in it to pack a punch. Atjazz sparkles on the remix, aiming it squarely at the floor with minimal clear-as-crystal kicks and some spacey atmospheric pads. South African Trancemicsoul also goes on a deep soulful adventure with Sexton's vocals, as does Soul Minority who superbly brings out the yearning in the singer's voice.

Review: One of Nigeria's fist frontladies, Mona's portfolio stretches from the late 60s with The Sunflowers through to the late 70s/early 80s with The Sensationalists. Here we find her at the later stage of her career where the US new jazz influence makes its presences known over the sprightly, tight, horn-driven Lagos grooves. "I Love Myself" is the more western flavoured jam with its skippy drums and lavish arrangement. "People Of The World", meanwhile, is emphatic Afrofunk with emphatic harmonies and overlapping guitar twangs. Sun-kissed sonics sent with timeless class, Mona loves herself... And you'll love her too.

Review: The Voodoo Funk label returns with a 12" maxi single of sublime spaced out disco funk from Nigerian group First Planet which concludes their excellent Lagos Disco Inferno series. Lead by the inimitable bass playing and vocals of Willy Nfor, First Planet released just the one self titled album together back in 1980 for the Zanidisco label and two of it's highlights have been licensed for this Voodoo Funk platter. If you known Nfor for his previous band the Mighty Flames, you'll notice the decidedly more disco edge to First Planet (whose whole aesthetic was a subtle nod to Parliament) and both "Top Of The World" and "I Want To Thank You Baby" are high grade slabs of harmony heavy afro funk with neat little p funk undertones.

Review: Razor-N-Tape is a bastion of deep house brilliance as once again perfectly exemplified by this vibrant new package from Flamingo Pier. New Zealand collective Flamingo Pier have dropped several well received 12"s on the Soundway Records label and then came good with 2021's self titled full length. They are still all about bringing happy, sunny vibes to a tropical disco template here with the likes of the synth lead 'How 2 Feel' then funky vocal pumper 'Remedy'. There are cosmic rays lighting up the big chords and aloof vocals of 'Beneath The Neon' then a couple of remixes on the flip bring more dubby disco-house sounds.

Review: Some serious old skool beat lessons here. The a-side is recorded from a show at the Bronx River Centre featuring Flash manually operating a drum machine while the Furious Five rhyme over it. The b-side is a James Brown pause-tape cut-up track, supposedly recorded by Afrika Bambaataa, Afrika Islam and Jazzy Jay. Funk at its rawest.

Review: The Foster Jackson Group are one of those forgotten but highly coveted one-hit disco wonders that exist in the bottomless pit that is often classed simply as 'soul'. All that aside, these people made an incredible 12" back in 1979 that has been going for serious bucks on the second-hand market, but thankfully the prodigious P&P Records have saved the day yet again. "Feel The Spirit" is a devilish, inimitable disco jingle that is split between the more percussion ridden "Long Disco Version", and a more contained, more floor-focussed "Disco Version" They both contain that instantly addictive dose of piano, though. Check it out, you'll know what we mean...

Review: The first European offering (and the first vinyl release) from San Francisco's minimal electro-funk duo, Foxgluv. Their full live incarnation has built a reputation Stateside as a band not-to-miss with their genre-bending Californian cyber-sex-a-delica, most notably at festivals like the world-famous Burning Man in the Nevada desert. The 12" EP includes the best 2 cuts from their WEA-recorded Flame & Fortune album plus a totally exclusive remix by renowned "ambient techno innovator" (All Music Guide) Jonah Sharp of Spacetime Continuum fame. Triple Cherry is a sparse, sexy slice of down-tempo electronica with a fresh sound and a fat laid-back beat, while the flip-side’s XXX Files raises the stakes (not to mention the eyebrows, or indeed, the pulse) with it's X-rated rap about transexual alien abduction recounted over a booty-licous beat that suggests everything from George Clinton's Mothership Connection to "A Trip-hop Deee-lite..." (The San Francisco Chronicle).

Review: The Treasure team keeps up the momentum of its early release with another fruitful dive into the annals of house history. This time, they have dug up more nuggets from FR and have refined them for contemporary floors. 'ET Is Coming Home' (vocal) is a slow and dubby cut with percolating live bass and muted horns next to some Ubiquity style vocal soul. The instrumental allows the superbly loose-limbed and live drums room to really shine, and then comes an epic, 10-minute-plus jazz-drenched house odyssey that's alive with swirling cosmic radiance and busy chords and synths. A real trip for proper music heads.

Review: Lisbon-born but now based in London, Fradinho specialises in making soul-fired broken beat records laden with live instrumentation and nods to both boogie and jazz-funk. His latest single, 'Much We Have', could well be his strongest yet. Certainly, the guest vocals of storied singer Colonel Red elevate the track to dizzying new heights and work wonderfully with Fradinho's attractive combination of old-school house pianos, TB-303 bass and shuffling broken beats. The accompanying remix package is strong too. Daz-I-Kue steals the show with vocal and dub revisions built around tougher, funkier broken beats, while Inskwel delivers some bruk/jazz-funk fusion and Born74 lays down a gospel-influenced house rework that's quietly anthemic.

Review: The French pop scene is vast and full of treasures but Claude Francois is one of its more mysterious and mythical characters. He was active on the scene from the 60s until he was taken away too soon in a sad domestic accident in 1978 having been a trained percussionist and something of a teenage sensation. He sure did know how to write some killer grooves, though, and in fact co-wrote and sang the original version of what would become 'My Way,' no less. This one, 'Alexandrie Alexandra' was recorded in October 1977 and now gets some special reruns from the one and only Dimitri From Paris who brings the joyous disco goodness.

Review: Two sweet fusion groovers from late 70s Columbia! 'The Groove' is one of the best tracks ever from keyboardist Rodney Franklin, a
smooth, sophisticated instrumental that balances tight riffing on acoustic piano with a warmer electric groove overall, remaining completely
sublime through and through, with all the right notes in all the right places.
Ronnie Laws may have had the first hit version of 'Always There', but Willie Bobo's is a great one too, with a slightly Latin tinge that takes
the cut to a whole new level, adding in some extra percussion to make its jazz funk grooves stand up on end.

Review: The mysterious Freaky Funk boys have been locked away for a while now. Some say Harlem, others think the East Midlands. The boys have been busy digging through the crates to deliver a series of disco/funk bombs, re-edited in fine style and destined to shake up any party. They start off with 80's disco funk boys Mystic Merlin. Originally called Mystic Merlin’s Magic Band, they started off their musical careers by incorporating magic into their live shows before being taken seriously on the soul/funk scene. The Freaky Funk boys re-edit in fine style "Just Can't Give You Up" which was originally released on Capitol in 1980 and was also a top 20 hit the same year! On the flip they deliver "Party Down", a block party funk nugget destined to make train spotters everywhere foam at the mouth. Little Beaver (AKA Willie "Beaver" Hale) released this track in 1974 on RCA Victor (France). It's a block party classic and extremely hard to find on vinyl. The track gets cut up and extended and turned into a sure-fire dancefloor bomb.

Review: The well-regarded Far Out label starts a new catalogue number series for this first reissue from Brit-funk band Freeze. They are of course best known for lighting up the charts and dance floors of the 1908s with their super hit 'Southern Freeez' but also penned plenty of other gems. 'Keep In Touch' is right up there amongst them and now comes as an original and edited version on heavyweight vinyl. It is a joyful track packed with busy jazz-funk keys that cannot fail to amp up the party, especially in unison with a busy and tight bass riff and hip-swinging claps and drums. The edit shortness things up t make for an even more potent gem.

Review: Before tearing up dancefloors - and the pop charts - with 1981 single 'Southern Freeez', Brit-funk outfit Freeez self-released a couple of singles on main man John Rocca's Pink Rhythm label. These are now sought-after items, particularly debut double A-side 'Stay'/'Hot Footing It', hence this handy reissue. 'Stay', an early composition from UK jazz-funk legend Jean-Paul Maunick, is a deliciously expansive affair, with Spanish guitar solos, dazzling electric piano motifs, rubbery bass, shuffling drums and sweet female lead vocals all vying for attention in the mix. 'Hot Footing It' is a more straight-up UK jazz-funk floor-filler full of fluid jazz-bass, bustling drums and warming Rhodes riffs. Both tracks have naturally stood the test of time very well.

Review: Fruit's delicious disco flavours keep blossoming. It started with an unearthed and unreleased album that finally saw the light of day after almost 40 years this spring. Now on this 12" we return to their only big single of the time (and most well known) "If You Feel It Say Yeah" but with a previously unreleased 12" that's been extended in all the right places. The evergreen B-side "Say It" plays the perfect foil with its ballroom disco soul dynamic. Apparently there's another unearthed 45 to come too. Tasty.

Review: The inimitable funkateers known as Funk Burners return with a second round of self styled Funky Burner party heaters effortlessly proving there ain't no party like a Funk Burners party across the five tracks/tools. Anyone with a base appreciation of samples will recognise much of what makes up the two variants of "Funky Music Party" though it's the devilish potency with which the Burners assemble the bumping rhythms and funked out riffery that impresses on both the beat heavy and scratchadelic versions. An accapella tool is also included for the more imaginative minds out there. On the flip "Party Of The Century" is a pretty self explanatory shameless melding of many a party mentioning track across a neat mid tempo disco rap bump, whilst "Manifest Party" ramps up the speed but retains the hip-hop feel.

Review: A momentous reissue of Funk Masters' 1981 disco/jazz funk hit. Out of print for over 40 years, 'Love Money' was a staple of the New York underground scene, spun everywhere across the city from Larry Levan's Paradise Garage to David Mancuso's Loft. With a low swung, funk-geared groove, 'Love Money', is a truly timeless track, encapsulating the sheer energy of disco, funk, and proto-house across eras. On the B-side, Bo Kool's '(Money) No Love' is a track steeped in historical significance - it's one of the earliest examples of UK rap. With nods to the reggae and dub culture at the root of the UK's club scene, it's no surprise to learn the track was produced by Jamaican reggae DJ and producer, Tony Williams. We're delighted to hear this lauded record make a triumphant return to record bags and dancefloors.

Review: Funkadleic's 'Ain't That Funkin' Kind Of Hard On You?' has been remixed a wreath of times by artists as diverse as Kendrick Lamar and DJ Spen. Now it gets two superb versions by the one and only Louie Vega. His remix is first up and is a classic - big, rolling drums laced up with glorious synths and the original's charismatic vocals as well as plenty of party atmospherics. On the flip is the Vega Trumpet dub which places some florid leads way up high and the rest of the funk tune follows through a course of highs and lows.

Review: Jazz house with strong afro beat vibes. Featuring Senegalese drummers Omar Diop, N'Diaga Issa and Babakar with a host of contemporary British jazz stalwarts, alongside Faze Action's bassist Robyn Lee.

Review: Leading Italian disco outlet IRMA is back with more irresistible and dazzling goodness, this time courtesy of Funky Destination with some pretty standout remixes. 'Take It Down' opens up as a new version by LTJ Xperience that has percolating funk lines and slow, sensuous grooves. 'Mr Bong' (Louie Beat Re-work) is a more percussive number with brilliant drumming and sunny melodies and 'Take It Down' offers a sensuous soul sound and some psyched-out guitar riffs. Last of all is the most streamy and busy of the lot with unresolved drum loops, disco percussion and rousing pads that will fill the floor.

Review: Arguably one of the first ever dubplate labels, Sunshine Sound was home to limited runs of DJ-friendly versions throughout the 70s and early 80s. Most are long gone, but the "Unreleased Version" series continues to unearth the existing gems. Having previously dusted off a very special version of Candido, they return with three more exclusive rubs; a super-slinky boogie take of Taana Gardner's 1979 "Paradise Express", a thriving, drum-heavy take on the lolloping bass jam "Loosen Up" and the piano-slapping strutting "Hot Fun" where Dee Dee Sharp's vocals provide the ultimate sensuous showdown. As limited as the original acetate presses, this needs urgent attention.

Review: The cursed global pandemic may have put paid to this year's Tropical Pressure festival in Cornwall, but thanks to this first compilation style EP from its' new offshoot label, we can now recreate the event's humid, colourful musical vibe in our own homes. The selections are naturally top-drawer, with the heavy tropical Afro-funk of Guy One's EP-opening 'Bangarre Tomme' brilliantly setting the tone. Faith Mussa impresses with the deliciously positive and sun-kissed 'Ngoma' - all rubbery bass, JuJu style guitars and bouncy beats - while Guided Souls get hot and heavy on the raw and fuzzy Afro-house of 'Freedoms Light'. We'd also recommend checking out the 'No Nations Dub' of 'Kameno' by No Nations Orchestra, a sun-bright slab of audio sunshine rich in glistening guitars and punchy horns.

Review: Tunes Delivery is a sub-label of Scruscru's Scruniversa and now it enters into the world with a fantastic first offering in the form of this six-track various artists EP. 'Hotmood' opens up with the feel-good disco-funk of 'Just Tonight,' Scruscru keeps it real with 'Funky Flute' which is a nice languid instrumental and Frank Virgilio up the ante with some big horn-laced grooves. The flip side then comes on strong with three more brilliantly musical grooves that brim with catchy riffs and fresh disco-infused rhythms. A great start to what is sure to be a great label.

Review: Daje Funk Records is back with four new tracks on the Slam Dunk Vol. 2 EP. It features contributions from Jisco Dazz who serves up the low slung and rubbery groove of 'Change', BPlan continues on with more slo-mo kind tackle on the ultra deep 'Hey Boy', while the ever reliable G. Markus gets down to the disco inferno of 'Pocket Rocket'. For something a bit more streamlined to the dancefloor, Frank Virgilio also makes an appearance and he contributes the evocative deep house of 'What's In My Mind'.

Review: Franck Biyong is a Cameroonese musician, composer and singer. As leader of the band Massak and creator of the 'Afrolectric' sound (a fusion of afrobeat, electro-funk and avant-garde Jazz), he has recorded, toured and performed constantly ever since 1997 to bring his musical vision to western audiences. Here Biyong gives us a timeless song that has both political, spiritual, and musical messages coming through every nook and cranny of "BLA". Huge horn section, a female choir, heavy drums, and the voice of France's most talented and charismatic singer. Frank Biyong takes you on a musical journey that leaves you aching for more.

Review: The magnificent Mukatsuku returns with another superb little package here on limited 12". It features the Afro disco sounds of Fred Fisher Atalobhor And His Ogiza Dance Band firstly on 'WTFS' which was originally released back in 1981. It's a booty-wiggling cut with myriad funky lines, squelchy synth motifs, lush chords and soul drenched vocals that bring the sunshine and party in equally playful measure. On the flip is 'Ebi Lolo' which is defined by its big brass section and loosey-goose guitar lines, bright chords and subtle funk. Two great gems once more from this on point label.

Review: The Owl & Posse EP brings together several artists on one fresh 12" that explores many Leftfield disco sounds and adjacent grooves. Pete Le Freq opens things up with the vocal-infused disco-funk of 'The Way Down' complete with splashy cymbals and elastic bass. The Owl's 'JBs Funk' is a horn-led jam that draws its samples from James Brown and Fingerman & Chewy Rubs's 'Revolution NY' has some big synth strings and unifying vocal calls over a nice organic rhythm. Monsieur Van Pratt's 'Guaranteed' is a pure good time groove with joy in its bones and soul in the lung-busting diva vocals.