Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Funk and soul group Sho Nuff were already beneficiaries of such greats as Stax Records and Malaco before their fourth LP, now reissued here through Wewantsounds, came out via the Japanese music racket King Records. Whilst their earlier records saw wide promotions in the US, Body Pressure heard the sextet relocate their appeal to the Japanese market, after having toured regularly in the Eastern isle after their prior album Stand Up For Love saw only modest sales success. Now well into their early-mid 80s embrace of boogie, the likes of 'Body Pressure', 'Monster Monster' and 'Is This For Real' hear unique pan-Asian collaborative panaceas, with recordings from Japanese funk jazz guitarist Takao Naoi standing out most notably on this sizzler.

Review: Canada's famously vibrant funk scene has given rise to many gems over the years and now one of them is getting a reissue on P-Vine complete with an obi-strip. The Sidewinders' much-coveted album, Flatfoot Hustlin' is a real gem that emanates the spirit of deep-rooted funk. Famously it was recorded in the same studio as Professor Lett and Study's Love Serenade which further details about it have long been unknown and mysterious. That has only added to its allure and appeal amongst the rare groove community but of course, the music itself is the real draw. Featured tracks like 'I Like To Dance' and 'Flat Foot Hustli'' cannot fail to ignite dancefloors, while 'Time For Loving' is a more smooth groove and 'Gift to the Sun' gets nice and heavy making this an essential cop for funk aficionados.

Review: As the '70s dawned and Motown relocated to the West Coast, the era of their honey-toned '60s girl groups came to a resounding halt. The Sisters Love were the antithesis of the traditional Motown group and came to the label from A&M, armed with a lot of funk, sass and attitude.

Paired with some of Motown's finest writers and producers - Hal Davis, Gloria Jones, Pamela Sawyer, Paul Riser and Willie Hutch - they got off to a rousing start with the gritty "Mr. Fix-It Man" and went into high gear for the UK only release "I'm Learning To Trust My Man".

Motown had them playing arenas with The Jackson Five (probably not their smartest move!), issued the odd single and scheduled more but Sisters Love's anticipated breakthrough didn't happen.

In 1980 New York DJ Danny Krivit pressed up an extended eight-minute re-edit of "Give Me Your Love", an old B-side from a 1973 single! That song was somewhat of an underground classic but the Krivit mix brought in a whole new legion of fans amongst the rare groove crowd, both in the US and the UK.

Sisters Love had long been rumored to have recorded a complete album for the Motown subsidiary MoWest. Get On Down Records combed the vaults with Motown's help and the result is the original 10 cut album, plus a bonus cut, "Give Me Your Love."

Review: Stone Flower was a little-known, short-lived record label licensed exclusively to Sly Stone himself. It produced but four singles in the period 1970-74, and beyond that, saw to a short run of LPs from the likes of Gladys Knight, Herbie Mann and Eddie Jefferson. However, thanks to a series of retakes and bonus material, LITA were able to reproduce this compilation; a compendium of all the best music the label had to offer, with choice bits from Joe Hicks, Sly, Little Sister and 6ix in tow.

Review: A decade in the making, the long-awaited new album from Smith & The Honey Badgers gathers analogue sessions recorded by the band over a ten-year stretch, from early risings in Marietta and makeshift setups in a Hackney bedroom to recent studio time at Echo Ray in Wood Green. Lead vocalist Marietta Smith fills out each mix with clarity and vavavoom, the likes of 'Better Times', 'Don't You Doubt It Baby' and 'Echo's Theme' marking a terrific rouser soul record following four early-career singles released via Lunch Money and Fnr.

Review: New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bette Smith returns with her third album, Goodthing, which blends soul, gospel, and rock & roll. Produced by Grammy winner Jimmy Hogarth, the album features anthemic soul rock sounds driven by Smith's raspy, soulful vocals and rather reminiscent of the late great Tina Turner, as well as Aretha Franklin and Etta James. Influenced by her childhood in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Smith merges street-corner soul with the gospel music her mother loved. Building on the success of her previous albums, Jetlagger and The Good, The Bad, and The Bette, this new work again showcases her powerful range and solidifies her as a dynamic and ever-rising soul artist.

Review: Some 15 years after its original release in 2009, This Is ... by Gizelle Smith & The Mighty Mocambos remains a classic in the sister funk genre. Raw, melodic, and vibrant, the album hasn't aged a bit and now, as a result of that, it's being re-released with unreleased bonus tracks, rare remixes and a limited-edition double vinyl. With standout tracks like 'Working Woman,' which became a global DJ fav, the album brims with Gizelle Smith's unique style and powerful vocals. Blazing horns, soulful guitars and dynamic production all help bring them to life on a record that is rooted in the golden era of soul but coloured with modern charm.

Review: Smoove's latest LP, the retro-modern funk take that is First Class, is primed for a spacious yet packed dancefloor. Smoove's deft emulatory production skills are once again put on full display, collecting vocal samples and original backing tracks from genres like funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop to produce something to the tune of 15 or so remixes. Bustling interpretations of Kraak & Smaak, Una Mas Trio, and Brenda Boykin render this a headsy yet unpretentious dance dazzler.

Review: Originally released in 2008, Manifesto captured Canada's The Souljazz Orchestra in full stride i locked into deep Afrobeat, but stretching further into spiritual jazz, militant funk and raw soul. It's one of their most focused records, recorded live with no overdubs, and it still hits hard. Tracks like 'Parasite' and 'People, People' feel especially relevant now, tackling inequality, media spin and class struggle with sharp lyrics and a driving sense of purpose. There's fire in the horns, urgency in the rhythm, but also a feeling of hope and collective strength. The band has offered plenty of highlights since, but Manifesto remains a standout i lean, direct and full of intent.

Review: Jamaica Soul Shake Vol 1 is one of the many seminal compilations put together by Soul Jazz. It first arrived in 2006 and provided, as you would expect, a perfect overview of the goddamn funky Sound Dimension. They were one of the many crucial in-house bands that worked at Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd's pioneering and influential Studio One. The original has been impossible to find since forever so do not sleep on this new, one-off limited edition pressing on silver coloured double vinyl. The sea re all rocksteady rhythms and delicious dubs that will keep you moving and grooving for days.

Review: Speedometer's still superb The Funk and Soul Sessions was originally recorded live at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. It was initially created for the Abbey Road Masters label as two exclusive library albums for TV and film, and came in limited quantities, as it does again here with this reissue for which the label has pressed just 250 copies for fans and collectors alike. Now celebrating their 25th anniversary, Speedometer's classic soul sound on side A features powerhouse vocals from SheZar and Angelo Starr. Side B highlights Speedometer's signature hard-hitting, heavy funk, performed live by their eight-piece band. This limited edition LP is top notch for authentic funk and soul heads.

Review: Tireless diggers and world class reissue merchants Mr Bongo have done it again with this one. They discovered The Star Beams when one of their tracks was on a Disco Calypso compilation, then went on a mission to track down the original anymore material from the band, who turned out to be based in South Africa instead of the Carribean. The resulting record is a real gem - disco, funk and jazz all get chewed up and spat out across four fantastically timeless cuts of dance floor dynamite. "Disco Stomp" in particular you might already know as Theo Parrish has been dropping in his sets for time.

Review: Steel pan, disco and dub from the 1970s in Steel An' Skin's 'Reggae Is Here Once Again'. Yet another lost gem from EM. Ultra-postive consciousness from Afro-Caribbean London, circa 1979. Members of the legendary 20th Century Steel Band (one of Grand Master Flash's favourites) sailing Trinidad-wise over gratifyingly intricate African ritual rhythms. Strong vocals compliment reggae, funk, disco and soul influences to form a relentless groove machine. Steel 'n' Skin, a unit composed of young nightclub musicians born in Ghana, Nigeria, St. Kitts, Trinidad and the U.K., who once performed with Ginger Johnson's Afrikan Drummers, a highlife band under the tutelage of the late Ginger Johnson and played at Johnson's Iroko Country Club in Hampstead, London. Steel 'n' Skin began performed concerts and workshops in London schools, expanding nationwide to schools, prisons, psychiatric hospitals and summer festivals, including the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival. The group combined a mix of musical forms with community outreach, non-cynical and untainted by preachiness or "social work." Good feelings from good hearts. This EM reissue consists of Steel 'n' Skin's 1979 debut 12 inch single "Reggae Is Here Once Again", featuring "Afro Punk Reggae (Dub)", a fine disco-dub workout, plus 2 tracks from their 1984 LP ACID RAIN as well as one un-issued track. Also included is documentary DVD by Steve Shaw featuring commentary from Steel 'n' Skin's founder Peter Blackman, killer live and rehearsal footage of the band, workshop scenes (check out the 1970s suits and parkas!) and devastating views of inner-city Liverpool. Steel 'n' Skin soars above the 1970s ruins.

Review: International Anthem has become one of the contemporary jazz scenes most crucial labels. It deals in the most cutting edge sounds in the genre as well as offering up fantastic fusions with sounds from the world's hip-hop, R&B and broken beat. Here they look to Charles Stepney for an album that he recorded back in the 1960s in his Chicago basement. He played all the instruments himself and across four sides of vinyl he serves up his so-called and signature "baroque soul" sound with widescreen arrangements, innocent melodies and curious rhythms.

Review: Stone Alliance dropped a number of now cult albums that brought fresh invention to the world of jazz-funk back in the 1970s in their prime. Many have become hard to find and out-of-print pieces that cost a pretty penny. Heads Up is a fine example of the trio's signature prowess featuring saxophonist Steve Grossman (who worked with Miles Davis no less, plus bassist Gene Perla and percussionist Don Alias. The album blends sharp improvisation with rich, global influences and standout tracks like 'Tribute to Afreeka' and 'Jimmy & Donnie.'

Review: A collection that blends classic soul, jazz, and rhythm & blues with a touch of British mod flair, this is the 11th album from the British veterans. From the outset, the album demonstrates the band's ability to capture emotion with the haunting saxophone and reflective vocals on 'How Many Times', which sets a powerful tone for what follows. The title track delivers an uplifting, seventies-inspired anthem, combining brass, hand percussion and heartfelt harmonies that evoke the essence of Isaac Hayes and Stevie Wonder. Tracks like 'Everything & All I Want' and 'Cut Me Loose' highlight the band's versatility, drawing influences from artists such as Paul Weller and Fela Kuti. The latter, featuring JP Bimeni's stunning vocals, delivers a funky, rhythm-driven groove. Meanwhile, 'Close To Where You Are' is a beautiful love dedication with its soulful brass arrangements and dreamy trumpet segments. The album also explores more introspective moments with 'Fix You Up', which exudes a relaxed, jazzy vibe, while 'The Beat I Know' offers a peaceful, bass-driven composition with serene vocals from Sheree DuBois and Carmy Love. Other tracks like 'When Worlds Collide' and 'Reach Out' deliver elegant slices of rhythm and blues. The band's ability to mix emotion with impeccable musicianship is on full display. The closing track, 'Summer Song,' featuring the legendary Omar, is a poignant tribute to overcoming life's challenges, closing the album on a deeply reflective note. The Revival of Survival is a stunning, soulful journey that will leave listeners eagerly demanding more.

Review: At the tail end of the '80s, Sylvia Striplin quit Norman Connors' jazz-funk group Aquarian Dream in order to pursue a solo career. Joining forces with producers James Bedford and Roy Ayers, she recorded 1981 debut album "Give Me Your Love", a well regarded but largely overlooked set that has since become a sought-after item amongst soul collectors. This Expansion reissue presents the album on vinyl for the first time in two decades. As with many soul albums of the period, it sashays between jazz-funk, boogie and heartfelt slow jams, contrasting memorable dancefloor workouts (see stone cold classic "Give Me Your Love" and a stellar cover of Roy Ayers favourite "Searchin") with more saccharine, loved-up fare.

Review: Moving away from their usual meticulous approach, this Australian cinematic soul outfit embraces spontaneity, infusing their signature sound with newfound energy and groove. The result? A record brimming with vibrancy, experimentation and undeniable funk. The opener, 'Sleep Dreams', is a laid-back entry point before 'Bully Ball' crashes in with its raw, thunderous drums and deep-pocket funk. The band's sonic explorations continue on 'Body Slam', a track that begins with a sweet soul feel before morphing into something dark and eerie, highlighted by a timpani recorded in a distant bathroom. That same adventurous spirit shines in 'Fare Evader', where sci-fi-esque synths punctuate a hard-hitting rhythm. Surprise Chef pushes the tempo on 'Consulate Case' and 'Tag Dag', drawing from afro-funk and jazz-funk influences, while ballads like 'Websites' and the ethereal 'Dreamer's Disease' showcase their softer, cinematic side. With Superb, Surprise Chef amplifies the fun without sacrificing their signature musicianship. This album solidifies their ascent from underground favourites to a global force in modern soul.

Review: Education & Recreation is the new album from Melbourne, Australia band Surprise Chef, whose music is all about evoking rich moods. Their vibrant arrangements draw on 70s film scores, jazz's funky styles and plenty of the sounds and scenes that hip hop has taken most of its samples from over the years. Their instrumental sound has been honed over years of practice with Lachlan Stuckey on guitar, Jethro Curtin on keys, Carl Lindeberg on bass, Andrew Congues on drums, and Hudson Whitlock composing and producing. From chunky earworms to mediative grooves, this one has it all.

Review: Sporty Cat sykes delivers the album he always wanted to in the 80s. Laid down the traditional Tascam way, the talented Michigan multi-instrumentalist digs deep into soul palette with equal measures of organic and electronic instrumentation. Expect heavy waves of atmospheres, rich layers of funk and consistent levels of emotion as we glide and stumbled between each touching moment; the drifting sunset ballad "The Best Of My Love", the weeping keys and fluttering slap bass of "Togetherness", the cloud surfing dream boogie of "Sometimes", the rude synth bass and sultry R&B vocals of "If You Want Me", the list goes on...

Review: In 2002, the Japanese government recognized bamboo flute maestro Hozan Yamamoto as a "living national treasure". It was in honor of his lengthy career in music, and in particular the way he championed a traditional Japanese instrument even when he was turning his hand to Western music. "Beautiful Bamboo Flute", an album first released in 1971 and almost impossible to find since, is a superb example of this. It sees him deliver haunting, emotional and life-affirming solos over funky jazz, big band and fusion backing tracks that tend towards the fresh and funky. It's an unusual blend, but also an invigorating and exciting one.