Fraternity/Und Brother US Vinyl & CDs

Review: This production from boogie-era soul specialist Clark Jay has long been a sought-after item amongst collectors, with original copies of the 1981 Peach Tree Records 12" changing hands for significant sums online. Even if you're unfamiliar with it - and outside of record collecting circles, most people are - we'd recommend checking the sound clips of this first ever seven-inch reissue. 'Can't Stop Dancing' is particularly sweet and summery, with Jonnie 'Vibes' Lambert singing about his love of shaking his stuff atop spacey synthesizer lines and a relaxed, laidback disco-boogie groove. That tidy groove can be enjoyed further on the flipside instrumental mix, which makes excellent use of the original's female backing vocals and the aforementioned synthesizer melodies.

Review: Talk about a comeback... Their first single in over 40 years Manzel (who most will know for the breaker's favourite "Midnight Theme") return with two brand new originals. Still super-tight and heavy on the vibes and comprising two of the three original members (including Manzel Bush himself), it's clear they've still got the midas touch for fusion and funk. "High & Tight" is as woozy and feel-good as you'd want it to be with a big street chorus on the climax while "Standing On Mars" is all slips, slides and skids with big organs, roomy guitar and a build up that defies gravity. Welcome back Manzel!

Review: Nubian Crackers member The Undercover Brother (AKA veteran Queens, New York-based beat-maker Victor Piagneri) fires up his U.B.'s project and delivers another taster for the forthcoming "Ultimate Covers w/Breaks" LP. On the A-side you'll find his instrumental interpretation of Frederick Knight cut "Uphill Peace Of Mind", a heavy, stripped-back revision rich in killer drum breaks, Red Hot Chili Peppers style funk-rock guitars and life-affirming piano solos. Turn to the flip for Piagneri's vocal-free version of The Honey Drippers' 1973 anti-Nixon anthem "Impeach The President". He allows the track's much-sampled opening drum break a little more room to breathe, before carefully layering up Hammond organ riffs and a snaking saxophone solo that effectively replaces the original vocals.

Review: The UB's bring their particular brand of funk to this steamy and fiery new 7" on the Fraternity label. It finds them in edit mode and first up reworking 'Stone Fox Chase'. It has some country-style harmonica built into the raw beats and plenty of psyched-out guitar lines that bring Americana vibes to the percolating rhythms. On the flip is their edit of 'Delirium' which is a totally different proposition - smooth funk grooves with busy chords and icy hi-hats. It's one that looks to the stars and crushes there on a feelgood vibe you hope never ends.