Back catalogue: Funk

Review: This new compilation comprehensively celebrates the work of Bob Thiele, producer extraordinaire and founder of the jazz, funk and soul label Flying Dutchman, which incubated various transnationally renowned talents such as John Coltrane, Gil Scott-Heron, Duke Ellington and Pharoah Sanders. Cycling through each of Thiele's discoveries as though they were akin to scientific breakthroughs like new radioactive isotopes or the wheel, BGP has compiled a monumental collection of greats here, with lesser-cited curveballs from bossa nova great Gato Barbieri, phat instrumental scatter Harold Alexander and Thiele's own Bob Thiele Emergency also in tow.

Review: This Is The Breaks is a 12-track journey through the history of influential breaks in jazz, funk and soul. Each track featured has not only shaped the golden age of sampling but continues to be used by contemporary artists. The album opens with Millie Jackson's 1974 version of 'If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right', famously sampled in 2023 by NLE Choppa. It also includes Debbie Taylor's soulful 'Let's Prove Them Wrong', used by JID in 2021. The collection highlights the enduring appeal of atmospheric tracks like Little Ann's 'Deep Shadows', which has been sampled by Grand Puba, Loyle Carner, and others. DJ Premier's masterful use of Joe Simon's 'Drowning In The Sea Of Love' for Gang Starr's 1997 hit 'You Know My Steez showcases his unparalleled production skills. Classic breaks like Lowell Fulsom's 'Tramp' and Fatback Band's 'Gotta Learn How To Dance' add to the album's richness, alongside iconic cuts from Bernard Purdie and Lonnie Liston Smith. These original songs continue to inspire, making This Is The Breaks a timeless celebration of musical innovation.

Review: This Is Retro Soul 1969-1979 offers a vivid journey through the golden age of soul, spanning from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. Featuring a carefully curated selection of tracks, the album highlights the creativity and innovation of artists like Isaac Hayes, Millie Jackson and cult figures like George Jackson and Darrow Fletcher. From the deep emotion of ballads to infectious dance grooves, each track offers a fresh experience for both longtime soul fans and those new to the genre. Songs like Millie Jackson and Isaac Hayes' duet 'Sweet Music, Soft Lights And You' and George Jackson's 'Love Highjacker' evoke the elegance and passion of the era. Meanwhile, rarer gems like Cesar's 'See Saw Affair' and Ty Karim's 'Lightin' Up' reveal the depth of the soul scene's more obscure talents. The diversity of this collection, blending funk, r&b, gospel and jazz influences, creates a lively and sophisticated atmosphere. This Is Retro Soul is more than a trip down memory laneiit's a timeless reminder of the depth and brilliance of soul's most innovative period, inviting listeners to rediscover this iconic music anew.

Review: If you have a penchant for proper funk from the genre's prime era, then This Is Street Funk is for you. It's one in a series of compilations that have been put together to appeal to vinyl lovers and features two sides packed with tunes hand-picked with TLC from Ace and compiled by Dean Rudland, who has also penned the liner notes that one with it. This one sums up the sound of Black American in the 70s with soul and streetwise attitude colouring the funk next to a mix of fatback drums, syncopated bass, rhythmic guitars and explosive vocals. Plenty of names you would expect all feature such as Fatback Band and Millie Jackson, Billy Garner and Billy Sha-Rae, Fame Gang and Larry and Tommy and more.