Mukatsuku

Review: This tasty 7" from the reliable Mukatsuku label sees 2 killer funk treats for the dancefloor. On the A-side there's a handy and exclusive re-edit of Bahamian combo Biosis Now's ludicrously rare "Independent Bahamas", a righteous call for self-governance backed with a wonderfully fuzzy and full-throttle tropical funk groove. A copy recently for $700 on ebay for the very first time of the original 45. On the flipside we find "Tumba Safari" taken from the recent Oriki compilation, a suitably heavy chunk of Ivory Coast afro-funk from long forgotten outfit Afro Train. Weston's version naturally emphasizes the drum breaks, heavy horns and razor-sharp guitars, in the process tightening it up for contemporary club play.As played by Hunee,Red Greg ,DJ Logic and Nicola Conte

Review: Two killer tracks licensed from Oriki Music,mastered by Frank From Sofrito at The Carvery and taken from the recent Akwaba Abidjan compilation. These two monsters from De Frank Jr are straight up deep and funky afrobeat from 1970's Ivory Coast. More essential dancefloor delights from Mukatsuku - strictly vinyl only & singles only...As played by Hunee & Alexander Nut

Review: For Mukatsuku's latest dinked 7" single, label boss Nik Weston has taken a deep dive into the vast back catalogue of Discos Fuentes, Columbia's oldest record label (it was founded in 1934, fact fans). On the A-side you'll find "A La Memoria Del Muerto" by long serving salsa outfit Fruko Y Suis Tesos, a typically jaunty, dusty and celebratory workout that was originally released on a now hard-to-find 7" single sometime in the early 1970s. Over on the B-side, Weston takes us on a trip to the early days of Cumbia via El Combo Los Galleros's brilliant 1963 album cut "Soledad", which still sounds heavy, punchy and intoxicating 44 years after it was recorded, and has been a staple in the bags of top selectors such as Hunee, Red Greg, Kai Alce, Dom Servini and in the current DJ chart of Craig Charles from BBC 6 !

Review: For the fourth volume in Mukatsuku's ongoing Jazz Classics series, label boss Nik Weston has decided to reissue two lesser-known gems from the nu-jazz era. On side A you'll find Kirk Degiorgio in As One mode, laying down a sublime chunk of sultry jazz bliss that comes laden with virtuoso horn playing and some superb keys-work from then session player Jamie Odell (AKA Jimpster). It was recorded almost 20 years ago, but sounds timeless. Equally as impressive is Butti 49's "Spiritual Radiations", a bright-and-breezy, soul-flecked chunk of jazz positivity that sounds like Rotary Connection jamming with Kyoto Jazz Massive.Juno copies come with an exclusive hand-numbered obi strip not available at other stores plus branded sleeve & sticker.DJ support so far from Spiritland,Faze Action,Kalita Records Chris,Nick Emanative,Simon S and Kay Suzuki

Review: It seems strange that Tommy Stewart's seminal rare groove funk anthem 'Bump And Hustle Music' has never had a 45 release, but Mukatsuku has set out to address this issue with Volume 2 of their 'First Time On A 45 Classics' series. On the flipside we find Bridge's sublime version of 'Stella' via the originally unreleased album 'Crying For Love' - recorded in Boulder, Colorado in 1981. First Experience reissued that album in 1999 but this is the first time 'Stella', written by Paul Tillman Smith has been made available as a 45. Juno copies come with an exclusive hand-stamped inner sleeve and branded card outer sleeve. DJ support from Red Greg,Fleamarket Funk,The Allergies, 45Live, Peter Croce, Boca 45 and Snowboy etc