THE SOUL SURFERS Vinilo y CD

Review: The Soul Surfers share their debut 7" on Broc Recordz, following a promising entree working with various raw funk and soul greats, including with Jack Nilovic on his 'Maze of Sounds' compilation, not to mention appearing on the first volume of the recent Two Tales For The Mind V/A. 'High Roller' and its counterpart 'Big Slick' are two large, roomy, instrumental sonic gateau slices, on which an outsized four-string occupies the front and centre of both mixes, to megalomaniac, almost gluttonous effect. All else follows naturally; plucks, snares and FX licks resound, as we're left to contemplate the ingenious front cover by Italian artist Riccardo Bettazzoni.

Review: Spasibo welcomes Russian outfit the Soul Surfers who word on the street says have a studio full of vintage, Soviet-era gear. Using library music as their source, they bring their own psychedelic twist with deeply funky grooves and have done now for over a decade. Here they kick off with a seven-plus minute medley of 16 tracks that mix up soul from all eras with wah-wah sounds and real emotion. They repeat the same trick on the flipped with 17 tracks all featuring in a journey through space and funk that leaves you in awe.

Review: Montenegrin-French composer, arranger, conductor, keyboardist, percussionist, vocalist and producer (nuff skills!) Janko Nilovic & The Soul Surfers have already turned our ears this year with a super 7" on Funk Night. Now they're back with another limited bit of 45rpm heat on Broc. Noth sides of this one makes for impossibly funky listening, with skilled instrumental solos getting deep under your skin and making you move. They are packed with charm and mark another noteworthy outing for this outfit.

Review: Sunsay & The Soul Surfers' cover of William DeVaughn's 'Be Thankful For What You Got' is a smooth and classy rendition of the 1974 original. The funk and soul influences are evident in the laid-back groove and sultry vocals, creating a timeless and sophisticated sound. With Massive Attack's 1991 cover also gaining recognition, this song has become a staple in the genres of funk and soul. The 7' vinyl reissue from 2024 remains faithful to the original release, capturing the essence of the track in its entirety. The B-side features the instrumental version, providing musicians and DJs with a versatile tool for sampling and remixing. 'Be Thankful For What You Got' serves as a reminder to appreciate the things we have, both big and small, and to find contentment in the present moment.