Funk / Reissue Recommendations August 2013

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: Tear shaped vinyl! If that doesn't get your attention, the audio most certainly will. Taken from last year's collaborative album between Alice and Quantic, "I'd Cry" is a serenade of weeping strings and sentimental pianos coated with Alice's honey-dewed dulcets. "Here Again" is delivered on a sumptuous bed of drama. All staccato flutes, big horn back drops and more emphatic Russell goodness. Whether you have the album Look Around The Corner or not, this super-limited, lovely looking vinyl genuinely is essential.

Review: ** REPRESS ALERT ** French selector Reverend P launches his new edit series for GAMM with three astonishing soul refixes. Both chapters of "After Da Dance" see Marvin go under the knife in the most respectful way possible with big emphasis on the groove and instrumental elements. "I Know You Ain't Real", meanwhile, sees the Parisian DJ apply the same technique to the Chi-Lites to equally evangelistic effect. All aboard the soul train!

Review: A very special 7" from Daptone here... The Impressions bustled their way out of Chicago in the early 60s and amassed a huge back catalogue throughout the late 60s and 70s with an album a year for almost 15 years before hibernating in the mid 80s. Thanks to Daptone's Binky Griptite, the band has reformed with most of their original members. Their first recording in over 30 years, both sides are as warm, soulful and, most importantly, authentic as you can get. The Mayfield-written "Rhythm" hums with harmonies and builds in momentum like an Otis joint. "Star Bright" has more a lullaby texture to it thanks to dreamy flutes in the background and a heavy emphasis on the falsettos.

Review: In a classic Jazzman turn of events, the original of this was valued at $2000. Not only has the champion crate digging label arranged this special repress - they've organised a whole album of unreleased material to follow! If the album's anything like this, it's going to be a treat. Smooth jazz soul with big instrumentation, rich minor key harmonies and fantastic attention to the slap bass leads, its previously steep price tag is understandable. For an added funk bonus flip for a deeper, more percussive version recorded in the legendary Brunswick studio.

Review: A bona fide northern soul standard: Soul 7 has paid the ultimate respect to renowned bandleader Chavez with this special repress. The urgent stomper "They'll Never Know Why" utilises the same chords and emphatic delivery as The Temptations "I'll Be There" while "Please Forgive Me" struts with just a tad more melancholy and some heart-warming chorus harmonies. Two incredible finds from Soul 7 here. Plus, having unearthed the original tapes for maximum mastering muscle, the sound quality on this is better than it ever sounded blasted on the system in Wigan Casino.

Review: Limited Edition Fan Club 45 .Myron Glasper and Eric Cooke are Myron & E, newly signed to Peanut Butter Wolf's Stones Throw label following their breakthrough collaborations with The Soul Investigators. In the aftermath of Stones Throw releasing their debut LP Broadway, Cooke and Glasper team up with The Soul Investigators once more for a pair of exclusive cuts on this dinked seven inch. "Clap Song" captures the throw back soul sound of Myron & E perfectly, their voices harmonising perfectly with the horn section of The Soul Investigators, whilst "Dangerous" shows they can get a bit gritty too.