Back in stock: Funk

Review: The talented Joe Armon-Jones has been at the centre of some of London's most exciting musical developments in the jazz world in recent years, not least as co-founder of the mighty Ezra Collective. He is a prolific creator, keyboardist, singer and producer who draws on dub, pop, hip-hop and electronica to foment his own style and once again that shines through with this, the first part of his new album on his own Aquarii Records. It is full of standouts like the Afro-leaning drums and summery melodies of 'Kingfisher (feat. Asheber)' with life-affirming lyrics. 'Show Me' has a darker downtempo energy with crashing hits and drums and 'Hurry Up & Wait' ends on a tender note with introspective keys and feathery drums.

Review: The legendary UK acid-jazz innovators Brand New Heavies dropped many a classic sounds and none more so than their iconic album 'Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1. More than three decades after first release it remains an influential work that blends UK club jazz with US hip-hop. Featuring collaborations with artists like Main Source, The Pharcyde, Gang Starr, and Black Sheep, the album marked a groundbreaking fusion of genres back in its heyday and now two standout tracks from the album, 'Soul Flower' featuring The Pharcyde and 'It's Gettin' Hectic' featuring Gang Starr make their way to 7" for the first time and sounds as good as ever.

Review: The Chicago Gangsters, a family-led group originally from Akron, Ohio, span multiple genres from gritty funk to smooth soul. Despite that name, their work largely embodied a mixture of raw disco grooves and emotive ballads. Their 1976 sophomore release, which includes a memorable rendition of Eugene McDaniel's 'Feel Like Making Love' and the title track 'Gangster Love,' stands as a key part of their legacy. This track, notably their first 12" single, hints at their influence in shaping the disco funk sound of the era. While they recorded under the Gold Plate label, they later transitioned to RCA and Heat, producing tracks that resonated across the decades, most famously sampled in LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out.' Their energetic performances and varied discography left a lasting imprint on both the funk and early hip-hop scenes.

Review: Natalie Cole was an American singer-songwriter who excelled in soul, pop, and jazz. She was the daughter of the legendary Nat King Cole, and she had notable family ties including being the cousin of Eddie Cole and the niece of Freddy Cole. Early in her career, she was married to Marvin Yancy, who was part of the songwriting and producing duo Chuck Jackson & Marvin Yancy. Together, they contributed significantly to shaping her musical journey and initial successes and one of her standout jams is the title cut here 'Winner (Take All )' which is a low-slung 80s synth disco delight. 'Azz Iz' brings some boogie to the squelchy synth bass and 'Movin' On' brings horn-led joy. 'How Can You Stop' is a slower more sentimental end of the night closer.

Review: Steve Taylor is credited with just one single on Discogs, and this is it. It's as hot and infectious as his name is plain and it now gets reissued on 12" after first being put out back in 1986. 'Shine Down (Light Of The World)' has some big sultry trumpets, lovely synth basslines and a hip-swing grave that is part disco, part funk, part street soul. The vocals are buttery smooth and the production is very much of the time. A more crisp Menu remix appears on the flipside. A second-hand original will cost you somewhere in the region of 250 quid so do not sleep on this one.

Review: In full gatefold LP form comes the latest Brazilian boogie compilation by Horse Meat Disco, selected selectors of the best rarities in the disco genre. Curated mostly by founding member Luke Howard and with added consultations from crewmates James Hillard, Severino Panzetta and Jim Stanton, a lifetime of frolicking among samba troupes, carnival processions and yearly Rio visitations went into the choices you hear here, consummating one man's intuitive taste for a sound whose appeal stretches far wider than its nation of origin. Mr Bongo invited Howard to their Brighton HQ for an extended on-site selection, proving its off-the-cuff expertise: early electronica experiments from Ze Carlos blend voluminously with Jorge Ben pennings and mouth-watering Luiza Maura 7" cullings, proving a hand-picking that is at once eclectic and unifying.