Funk Embassy Vinyl & CDs

Review: Released by Funk Embassy Records, 'Universal Language' is the debut album by Estonian funk outfit Silky Steps, a five-piece band from Tallinn that blends neo-soul, nu-disco and pop-funk. The album is full of catchy hooks, smooth vocals, funky guitars and synths that evoke the likes of Nile Rodgers, Jungle and L'imperatrice. The lyrics are playful and sensual, exploring themes of love, lust and connection. Highlights are the slo-mo opener 'Music' with its infectious vocoder, 'Falling For You', a collaboration with MC Roki that explores deep bass-driven territory and 'Fly, Goodbye', a bittersweet and nostalgic track with sensual neon-lit aesthetics.

Review: There could have been no better way to escape the Soviet than through the music of the Groove of ESSR compilation series which now returns with a second volume. This time Funk Embassy serves up 11 cuts from between 1973 and 1984 and they are a mix of dance floor-ready sounds and more pensive material for somewhere else. Most of these tunes are getting their first-ever release here and the 12" comes with a 30-page booklet featuring some great background as well as thoughts from some of the artists. The likes of likes Gilles Peterson and DJ Tahira played tunes from the first one which tells you how good this series is.