Juno Classics

Review: Since 2010, the My Love Is Underground imprint has done a stellar job in rekindling interest in the more soulful, New Jersey-influenced end of deep house. Credit must go to label boss Jeremy Underground, who here continues his quest to champion overlooked and forgotten house with a second collection of slept-on gems. With 12 quality tracks stretched across three slabs of wax - with accompanying detailed sleeve notes - there's much to enjoy, from the thumping, rave-era stomp of DJ Tools' Cleveland City classic "Hey Mr Shy One (Not Too Shy 2 Sample Mix)", to the hard-to-pigeonhole genius of Expectations' in-demand 1992 obscurity "Techno Soul". Naturally, the more soulful side of US deep house is represented, via killer selections from Groovestyle and Dionne.

Review: We can think of a fair few disco diggers who will be more than a little annoyed by this re-issue. Originally released on the obscure La Shawn label back in 1980, "Take Me I'm Yours" is widely considered to be one of Patrick Adams' best productions. It's certainly something of a dusty gem, with Mary Clark's soulful, country-tinged vocals simply soaring over a reggae-tinged, string-drenched disco groove. It would have been nice to have seen original flipside "You Got Your Hold On Me" included, but it's not a major issue; given the in-demand (and hard-to-find) nature of the A-side, we should be pleased it's come back round again.

Review: Should you require further evidence of the all-round genius of Curtis Mayfield, look no further than this early '70s funk gem from Patti Jo. "Make Me Believe In You" was written and produced by the velvety-voiced musician in 1973, one of just a few singles released by Patti Jo but undoubtedly now an all-time classic. That rolling drum intro, the ear-wagging piano, the subtle orchestration and, above all, Patti Jo's killer vocal all combine for a perfect example of the halcyon days when funk was beginning to transform into disco. Mayfield himself later covered the track for the closer to his Sweet Exorcist LP! This BGP 7" sees Tom Moulton's extension of "Make Me Believe In You" combined with his remix of the other Patti Jo burner, "Ain't No Love Lost". Any self-respecting DJ needs the A-side though.

Review: First Choice's era-defining disco funk anthem "Love Thang" gets dusted off by Salsoul. Timeless struts, silky bass flurries, huge orchestration and gutsy vocals; this still sounds spotless today. Complete with an acapella and instrumental, the real boon here is Kon's edit. If anyone is going to edit such a classic appropriately it's this guy; with a more mix-friendly, break and vocal focused intro, dynamic stripdowns and build ups and a big drum-focused pay-off, Kon reminds us how artful editing can be in the right hands... Again.

Review: In line with the timely reappraisal of all things R&S related, the resurgent Apollo have seen the opportunity to bring one of their most celebrated records back for another round. Aphex Twin's ambient recordings mature magnificently with age, sounding ever richer and more emotive as the rest of electronic music continues to play catch up all around. From the gentle breakbeats of "Xtal" to the aquatic techno lure of "Tha", the airy rave of "Pulsewidth" to the heartwrenching composition of "Ageispolis", every track is a perennial example of how far ambient techno could reach even back then. It's just that no-one quite had the arm-span of Richard D. James.

Review: 1968's "I'm Chief Kamanawanalea" is perhaps one of the greatest forgotten nuggets of pure breakbeatism, and the original by The Turtles dates back to 1968. The date isn't perhaps that surprising in relation to the sounds used and the quirkiness of the tune, but it's the fact that it sounds like straight-up hip-hop from early 80s NY; Chief Rocca aka J Rocc does a bit of editing on this version, but the meat and bones of the original are definitely there. Steady B features on the flip with a remix from BDP, and this one is a pure throwback hip-hop banger like they used to make them - think Run DMC but much more from the underground.

Review: John Morales - one half of the beyond-legendary production team M+M - finally delivers the new Club Motown series that began in 2014. The last 12" focused on divas but here we're celebrating two of the funkiest names in funk soul; Rick James and The Temptations. From the epic 11 minute reprise of "Standing On The Top" to the equally extensive shake up of "Brick House" via the brand new arrangement of "Big Time", it's another collection that only Morales could concoct. The stomping percussion-heavy into on the vocal dub of "Big Time" is impossible to sniff at too...

Review: Fancy a whirlwind trip around soul and funk's most evocative moments and talented individuals with sliver tongued tour guide whose prose flow like lyrical sweet nectar? Look. No. Further. Frequent Stevie Wonder collaborator, lyricist, radio show host (both in the US and in the UK on the BBC for spell in the 80s) and certified G, Gary's genius two-part homage to 60s/70s soul and funk is a genuine work of wonder. Essential.