SONIA Vinilo y CD

Review: Madmua Records was so keen to reissue this 1966 gem from Spain's "national pop" scene that they spent a best part of a year tracking down the singer behind the record, Pilar Espi AKA Sonia. Listening to the title track, an infectiously funky, Spanish Language cover of Rolling Stones' favourite 'Get Off My Cloud', it's easy to see why. That track, a faithfully fuzzy, swinging-sixties interpretation, is undoubtedly the highlight, but there's plenty more fun to be found across the EP. Check for example the American girl group-influenced stomp of 1964's 'Si Tuviera Un Martillo' and '1,2,3', a horn-heavy chunk of Detroit soul-influenced Spanish pop that first featured on the flipside of the original 1966 release of 'Aqui En Mi Nube'.

Review: Japan is well known for doing things with a truly distinctive and often slightly out-there twist. Reggae and roots are no different and are sounds that have long been explored by artists in the Far East. Muffin is a new label from Japan that will allow us to Delbert into the scene's latest works and now they return with a second curious and lovely 7". It opens with Sonia's 'Cloudy' (feat Emi & Gel) which has angelic pop vocals and a nice earthy dub rhythm below next to bright synth chords. The flip features 2shanti with 'Bongo Dub' (feat Goja Bongos) which slows things down to a nice heady crawl.

Review: Top tune alert: this official 45rpm version of Sonia's classic 'Easier To Love' is an instant heart warmer and bringer of good vibes. The vocal is pure and delightfully soulful with the warm summer sun packed in next to harmonicas and roots reggae rhythms. The sublime dub version on the flip is by The Overnight Players, and has only before been available on their elusive Babylon Destruction album. Both of these gems are from the vaults of Cha Cha and this is the first time they have ever been reissued on this exclusive 45.