Breakbeat Paradise Vinyl & CDs

Review: "Breakbeat" means many different things to many different people; perhaps among Juno's customers, the term signifies hard-edged apocalpytic bangouts against judderingly dark soundscapes, completely missing the trick of the fact that its earliest form was a kind of hip-hop that simply emphasised the funk backbeat as a central part. The Breakbeat Junkie are more than worthy reps of the latter category; they here bring the whopping 14th instalment of their Toxic Funk series to the fore, with two funky cuts from the beat master The Breakbeat Junkie himself.

Review: The 2024 Soulport Records debut by debutant German soul band Miles King & The Foolish Knights sees an insta-reissue through Breakbeat Paradise; they've laid down a club night-errant remix version on the B to replace the original 7"'s 'Hurt So Bad'. Label regular Jayl Funk has underlain extra elasticity and bounce neath this otherwise guardian angelic soul cut, switching the pace to late-night mode with tighter breaks and a sharper kick, built for spinning, not sipping. This is Vol. 19 in the Toxic Funk series, and it keeps the formula simple: feel-good tunes, finely played, and pressed up loud.

Review: Mako & Mr Bristow return with Stank Soul Edits Vol. 7, delivering two soul-infused sister-funk tracks. 'One Sweet Bomb' enhances the original's arrangement with added bass and drum elements, aligning it with the golden age of soul. On the flip side, 'Why Do You Bass Me Up?' transforms an uptempo funk pieceioriginally lacking a basslineiinto a dancefloor-ready banger, thanks to contributions from former Big Boss Man bassist, The Hawk.
This duo really know how to revitalise classic sounds for contemporary audiences.

Review: Breakbeat Paradise indeed! British breakbeat producer Paul Sitter might as well stand in for Saint Peter at this rate, as we'll happily ascend to the place after death. This new LP, we imagine, is what plays in the background, as we float on upwards: with collaborations with some of the dopest MCs on the planet, such as Craig G, Andy Cooper, Birdapres, Chrome and Dr Syntax, the album is a celebration of the tidal forces of old skool hip-hop and breaks that later fed into one of the best dance genres to grace our ears over the last 40 years. Packed with exclusive vocal cut-ups, mix-disturbing scratches, and mega-raw b-breaks constructions, Hip-Hop Delivery is an incredible tribute to the era.

Review: Breakbeat Paradise's Toxic Funk series rolls out a ninth volume here with two more powerful cuts. These come from Paul Sitter and Crash Party who together cook up plenty of horn-lead action on 'Don't Touch Me.' It has old school bars and some retro synth work that all adds up to a full thrill funk banger. 'Wake Up' is another raw and raucous one with big rock guitars and slamming drums. A b-boy hip-hop vocal is paired with yelping female vocal samples and the crispy drums never let up. Two dynamite tracks for sure.

Review: Suckaside, a creative artist with a deft touch in beat composition, sampling, and mashups, delivers a dynamic offering with Toxic Funk Vol 15. 'Sometimes Bootyful' is a piano-laden funk jam driven by a tight breakbeat that's both hip and infectious. The track seamlessly blends elements of house into its groove, making it accessible to pop fans while staying true to its funky roots. The addition of rap verses adds an extra layer of appeal, making this track a standout. Bringing in 90s funky rhythm vibes, 'Sugar Face' on the B-side cleverly incorporates hooks from D'Angelo's 'Brown Sugar.' This track is a 7" gem for funk and R&B lovers, combining nostalgic grooves with a modern twist.

Review: Croatian producer Umbo makes a raucous return to Breakbeat Paradise with this two-tracker of throwback funk edits. A-side 'No Sugar' is a no-nonsense breakbeat soul cut, filtering vintage vocal hooks through crisp drums and rubbery basslines. On the flip, 'Saoco Root' cranks the tempo and energy, fusing jazzy brass, hype vocals and Beastie Boys swagger into a fast-cutting party tool. A continuation of BBP's long-running Toxic Funk series, this latest volume slots right into the label's wheelhouse: dusty, high-energy edits with bite.