Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Here's a pleasant surprise: a fresh set of remixes of killer cuts from the back catalogue of Melbourne-based band Surprise Chef, whose hard-to-pigeonhole take on cinematic soul contains numerous nods to classic jazz-funk and Brit-funk jams. Masters at Work give their take on 'Crayfish Caper', first joining the dots between Afro-beat, jazz-funk and West London style bruk on the 'Nuyorican Broken' mix, before delivering two house-style revisions - the squelchy, synth-bass-propelled 'Masters at Work Mix' and the tougher, more percussive 'MAW Dub'. The EP's other interpretations come from Harvey Sutherland, whose 'Weird Flex 12" and 'Weird Flex' revisions of 'New Ferrari' add the band's jazz-funk instrumentation and spacey synths to a warming, off-kilter deep house groove.

Review: Considered one of the essential Brazilian funk records of an era, Sandra Sa's Vale Tudo receives a much deserved reissue here on Mr. Bongo. Originally released in 1983, it was produced by Lincoln Olivetti alongside a who's who of musicians that were central figures on the scene at the time. From the disco boogie of 'Trem Da Central' featuring one amazing brass section, the heartfelt and romantic ballad 'Onda Negra' and the late night boogie-down vibe of 'Guarde Minha Voz' - they are the perfect backdrop for Sa's unique voice which really shines throughout. Although most prolific in the early '80s, Sa continues to work in the music industry to this day.

Review: The candidly titled Ananda Shankar And His Music hears its first official reissue via Mr Bongo. Released on His Master's Voice in 1976, the album is a sublime collage of sitar-funk, traditional Indian classical music and psychedelic grooves, from the Indian sitarist, composer and musician. Nephew to India's legendary sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, Ananda's musical family and upbringing led to a deep respect and love of the wealth of music that emanated from his birthplace of Almora, North India. However, touring America in his 20s revealed a latent love for psychedelic rock, and this debut LP captures that obsession to a T. The fusion of cyclic, North Indian tala with Americana music is best heard on the likes of 'The Lonely Rider', which envisages the a sonorous Sonoran Desert set against an action-sequenced sitar and guitar strumming. 'Back Home' achieves similar results, with a Western, soul balladic walking bass mixing effortlessly with the sitar's distinctive, tweeting "bendre" - an exotic but compelling combo.

Review: Skull Snaps' eponymous 1973 debut album has long been regarded as one of funk's greatest albums, not to mention one of the most sampled of all time. Many of the set's killer drum breaks have been recycled on hip-hop and dance records over the years, including those by the Prodigy, the Pharcyde, Gang Starr, DJ Shadow, Pete Rock and CL Smooth. Thanks to a fresh studio remaster, the album sounds heavier than ever on this licensed Mr Bongo reissue. Highlights include opening stomper "My Hang Up Is You", the sweet and relaxed "Didn't I Do It To You", the head nodding "Bus Stop" bounce of "It's A New Day" and the driving soul brilliance of "I'm Your Pimp".

Review: ***B-STOCK: Records ever so slightly warped and sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Skull Snaps' eponymous 1973 debut album has long been regarded as one of funk's greatest albums, not to mention one of the most sampled of all time. Many of the set's killer drum breaks have been recycled on hip-hop and dance records over the years, including those by the Prodigy, the Pharcyde, Gang Starr, DJ Shadow, Pete Rock and CL Smooth. Thanks to a fresh studio remaster, the album sounds heavier than ever on this licensed Mr Bongo reissue. Highlights include opening stomper "My Hang Up Is You", the sweet and relaxed "Didn't I Do It To You", the head nodding "Bus Stop" bounce of "It's A New Day" and the driving soul brilliance of "I'm Your Pimp".

Review: The Pro-Teens are at the heart of Melbourne's vital cinematic soul scene and are helmed by drummer and percussionist Hudson Whitlock, who is also involved with a number of other bands. Here the group is symbolically led by keyboardist Snooch Dodd on a lush and widescreen album that takes cues from the likes of MF Doom, Wu Tang Clan and Galt MacDermot. The music marries subtle instrumental funk with romantic soul, library sounds and film score designs to take you on a real trip. The record was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, with all respect pay to them and their heritage.

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: Released in November 2019 on the band's own label, Surprise Chef's debut album, All News Is Good News, blends retro and contemporary styles in a unique instrumental soul experience. With cinematic arrangements reminiscent of David Axelrod and Janko Nilovic, it showcases both light and dark tones, dissonance, and positivity. It also reflects a deep knowledge of the 1970s soul scene and the ability to bring that to something that remains distinctly modern. Recorded live to tape, the album features guest musicians and who add to Surprise Chef's cinematic-soul sound on a record that will resonate with both seasoned fans and new listeners alike.

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.