Back catalogue: Funk

Review: J. Plunky Branch and his band, the Oneness Of Juju, are absolute units of the US funk scene. Active on the circuit for 30 years, their style blends a peaceful mix of African jazz, funk and blues, and has seen them go as strong as they were upon their initial formation in San Francisco. Now, though, they throw a curveball: focusing more on the instrumental side of things, the new album 'Bush Brothers And Space Rangers' lays down a slew of tunes that were specially recorded without the use of a single guitar, which helped spur on this album's more soulful direction.

Review: The reissue of Oneness Of Juju's 1976 album Space Jungle Luv stands as a crucial addition to the Black Fire Records reissue series. When James "Plunky" Branch founded Oneness Of Juju in 1975, he had already spent years engulfed in the vibrant jazz scenes of both coasts. The group, previously known as Juju, was deeply rooted in New York's avant-garde jazz scene. However, upon relocating to Richmond, Virginia, Plunky gathered a fresh ensemble, blending African rhythms with funk and r&b. This lineup produced two of their most acclaimed albums, African Rhythms and Space Jungle Luv. This era marked the band's peak, with Space Jungle Luv embodying a shift towards a more serene, spiritual sound. The album showcases Lady Eka-Ete's enchanting vocals and guitarist Melvin Glover's celestial tones. Plunky's vision for this record was influenced by artists like Pharoah Sanders, aiming to deliver a message of spiritual upliftment through "space music, jungle music, love songs." Tracks like 'River Luvrite' and 'Follow Me' explore themes of unity and exploration.