Wirl Vinyl & CDs

Review: Wirl, Palo, Trex, and Ted & Way were the original labels that put out these super rare, super obscure and super funk gems as part of eight majestic tunes on various 45rpms back in the 70s and 80s. Now, Common Ground International brings otters two of them on this reissued 7". A-side pearler 'Disco Groove' is just that - it has disco rhythms with an afro touch, plenty of big and characterful horns and silky synths fleshing out the beats. ON the flip is the more international sounding 'Spouge Beat' which is infectiously funky.

Review: Barbados-born Richard Stoute set out on his 60-year long musical career at the age of just 12. He put out only one album in that time back in 1974 and some superb singles. This new 7" from Wirl - his original label - features two of them with 'Vehicle' the most well-known. It is Caribbean funk with expressive horns and his seductive vocals front and centre. It's become an expensive grail these days for good reason. 'I Hate To Do This Woman Wrong' on the flip is a much more slow and more sentimental number with deeply romantic grooves and heartfelt vocal tones from Stoute.