Galaxy Sound Co US Vinyl & CDs

Review: The inimitable BlackCash & Theo are edit masters who are well admired by those who know. Their next outing on the Galaxy Sound Co label is their take on the very rare 'Hey Joyce' by Lou Courtney. It was a favourite of the likes of Cut Chemist and DJ Shadow back in the day and is a real rare groove classic originally from 1967. It has an impassioned lead vocal from Courtney with some super sweet female backing and a beat that is heavy but not overly so. On the flip, lost funk jam, 'Soupy' by Maggie Thrett gets a sympathetic touch-up by these top boys. Another must-have for 45rpm lovers.

Review: Ohio funk band Faze-O dropped 'Ridin' on their seminal 1977 album of the same name. It was a Top 10 r&b success back then and has been sampled by many a hip-hop head ever since from J Dilla to Snoop Dogg and Ghostface Killa. Now we get a super edit from two kings of the form in BlackCash & Theo. This plays on point duo up the laidback funky vibes in their own unique way. The languorous bass roll deep, the buttery vocals still melt the soul and the gorgeous chords will light up any dance floor with real warmth. What a doozy.

Review: If you like hip hop and broken beats and top-class edits you will already be fans of Black Cash & Theo AKA Thelonious Beats. They have got a bottomless discography full of it and mostly on their own Galaxy Sound Co label. Here comes another addition to the cannon in the form of a pair of glorious jazz-funk nuggets, starting with 'Footin' It' by George Benson from his fifth studio LP back in 1968. On the flip is a 1973 cut from pianist Les McCann. 'The Harlem Buck Strut' was from a groundbreaking jazz-synth album and you can tell why here with its forward-looking sounds and designs still sounding ahead of its time.

Review: The Galaxy Sound Co's latest 7" kicks off with a remastered edit of 'Passion Play' by The Sugarhill Gang. It's a tune that was originally on their self-titled 1980 album and comes with background vocals from the superb funk and soul band Positive Force. Somehow the tune didn't make the charts at the time though it has been heavily referenced and sampled since, including by the likes of Kerri Chandler. The B-side is 'Who Is She (And What Is She to You)', a soul-jazz cover of a Bill Withers classic taken from Madelaine's only album, Who Is She, in 1978. It has a serious Chicago pedigree and great arrangements from Johnny Pate.

Review: Galaxy Sound Co takes a surprising turn from the edit game to drop another pair of sure shots by Michigan skateboarder, cyclist, sneaker-head and bedroom b boy beat maker Strictly Butters, making his second appearance on the label. Main offering 'P.B.S.' offers up rolling piano and warpy keyboards with a hazy, nostalgic feel over a tight drum break. On the flip we get 'Turn It Up', which bounces effortlessly, teased along by a sweet soul guitar riff. Take your pick, they're both corkers.

Review: Galaxy Sound Co is well known for its super 45 edit series but has also recently turned plenty of heads with their instrumental hip-hop interludes - and that's just what we have here. Up first is 'Loud & Clear', a brilliant boom-bap gem with a sweet soulful piano riff, great work from the classic MC and nice dusty beats. 'NORE' (Buttas remix) noise sup raw beats and squealing piano lines with lively bars that are a snippet from Noreaga's 'SuperThug'. Last of all is 'Cherry Blossoms (Love Notes Mix)' which is a perfect late 90s hip-hop joint that has a sample from 1969's 'Maybe So Maybe No' by the New Holidays, This is a summer gem to keep the long sunny day vibes alive as autumn arrives.

Review: Master grade edit kings and beat makers Black Cash & Theo AKA Thelonious Beats have a vast catalogue of essential sounds and much of it comes on their Galaxy Sound Co home label in the USA. Their latest is a remastered and limited 7" pressing of the glorious Red Tribe. The title tune is a jazzy number with slow motion beat jumbles and some superb chords and busy as you like guitar leads. On the flip is an edit of 'Peaceful' that comes on slowly but eventually has you in a nice groove with its funky bass and dousing of chords.