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Review: Last year, the Expansions label kicked off a wonderfully intriguing 10" series featuring classics from soul music's rich canon complemented by contemporary cover versions and so far it's seen Blue Note troupe Quasimode tee off against Johnny Hammond and Bembe Segue challenge Norman Connors. A third edition duly arrives and hints Expansions are really enjoying the creative challenge the concept allows them with the jazz funk classic "Zaius" from Eddie Russ joined by a cover from the celebrated UK funk veterans Incognito. Originally appearing on the 1976 LP See The Light, "Zaius" is a blinding example of why Russ is described a master of the keyboard and it's complemented well by Incognito's B Side cover which appears on vinyl for the first time. Don't sleep!

Review: DJ S is a Greek producer who is one of the best editors around, with his own singular downbeat sound. On his latest release, he joins the Too Slow To Disco Edits series with four tracks of smooth and groovy disco edits. He reworks some classic and obscure gems from the late 70s and early 80s, adding his signature touch of warmth and soul. From the funky groove of 'Groovin', to the low slung sexiness of 'Sweet Love' (2022 version) and the absolutely romantic 'U' - DJ S delivers a delightful EP that will make you want to dance and chill.

Review: A really cool concept from Expansion here; one side is a reissued seminal classic, the other is a contemporary version. And what a way to start the start the series; hard bop hero Johnny Hammond influenced pretty much every soul, jazz, rare groove and funk artist who've followed in his path, and the joyously unpredictable "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" is one of his best. Naturally Japanese jazz outfit Quasimode are an ideal remix choice. Known for their wildstyle riffage and signature switches, they've paid the utmost respect to Hammond.

Review: Australian DJ and producer Dave Mathmos serves up an obscure edits entree, sampling/reworking a whopping seven disco cuts from the late 1970s and early 1980s, but adding just enough modern flair to essentially make them his own. A well-rounded, sticky quality is heard on this septagonal crock of heaters, with the downtempo slink-funk of 'Late At Night' and the equally sumptuous, string-backed plod of 'Wonderful Feeling' remaining our highlights.

Review: It's been five years since Truth & Soul's octet gave us the incredible Wu Tang version album. It's been two years since they last dropped a single, too. However the band is back and their trademark cinematic soul is richer and more emotive than ever. From the instant the trembling flute and guitar open with the cuddly, ultimately positive "Kiddy Ditty" we're whisked on a largely instrumental journey that flings us through the wild west ("Little House"), soul's early JB chapters ("This Song For You") and straight up NY low-slung funk ("A Little Sloppy"). Climaxing with a Lee Fields featured "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", Loose Change is a kind reminder of just how accomplished and creative El Michels Affair are. No change there, then.

Review: Nu Mark's been teasing his fans since May, releasing selected cuts from his new album Broken Sunlight in coloured vinyl 10" instalments. With the attention reaching fever pitch, he's unleashed one of the biggest cuts on the LP. Hooking up with the dollar-hungry Aloe Blacc, it's a horn-heaving slice of hip-hop funk that pushes all the right buttons. "Tough Break" is a double-time deal sealer. With more horns and a frenetic rhythm, it's Nu Mark at his very best. Essential.

Review: This intriguing little 10" LP charts some of the so-called king of rock n' roll's most romantic tunes to ever hit the shelves. On pink and green vinyl comes 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'Blue Moon' and 'Tutti Frutti', reminiscing on a thoroughly missed era of the skiffle monarchist Presley's heyday. Watch out, as it comes with a 16-page booklet full of exclusive track breakdowns and extra notes. Thank you very much.

Review: Expansion's offshoot label is back with a second release and for the occasion have put together a special eco vinyl 10" here that is strictly limited to just 100 copies and is fully deserving of that treatment: Tom Browne Feat. Carol Woods combined to great effect in the 80s on this soul classic that now gets a first-ever single release. It's the sort of immediately heartwarming tune that draws from soul, jazz funk, disco and more to cook up a steamy and excellent groove. On the flip is Diplomats Of Soul with their own super cover of 'Brighter Tomorrow' featuring Brit funk and acid jazz greats Incognito & Imaani.

Review: These days the Fury name is most often associated with traveling families and world championship boxing. But in the 60s, Billy Fury was the heavyweight champion of proto-indie pop. This reissue of his Three Saturdays with Billy album pulls together a collection of live recordings he did on TV with the BBC. Most such things used to get deleted as soon as they were aired and only eight tracks from 1967 to 1970 have since appeared, while nothing from 1968 and '69 was known to have survived, until now! The sound quality is good and tunes include his own special versions of David Bowie's 'Silly Boy Blue' and the Bee Gees' 'One Minute Woman' amongst others.

Review: 'Blues & Rhythm, Exotica & Tittyshakers' - if ever there was ever an album sub-title we could buy into, it's probably that. The fifth instalment of the celebrated Gibble Gobble blues compilation series lands and brings with it some of the farthest reaching tracks from the heyday of a sound which, let's face it, seems incapable of ageing, even if it often sounds like the era it was produced in.


Bringing together a stack of iconic names onto one expansive album, everyone will recognise artists like Earl Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, and Bob Callaway, while only the die-hard will be drawn to this collection by the inclusion of The Voodoos and Touissaint McCall, talent that goes someway towards explaining why we're recommending this one 'til we're blue in the face. A record that will introduce new generations to forgotten greats.

Review: The impact of Weldon Irvine's music across a wealth of genres cannot be overstated with his jazzy piano playing and compositions regularly passed down to newer generations. Artists like Q-Tip and Mos Def are noted admirers of the jazz-funk artist, and the distinct sounds of Irvine echo across the ages in samples etched into hip-hop history. The album version of Time Capsule was originally released in 1973, and this 10" features two versions of 'Deja vu' on the A-side and 'Feelin' Mellow' and 'Watergate --- Don't Bug Me!' on the B.