Review: Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita is a hardcore 45rpm devotee. They are his chosen tools as a beat-juggling DJ who can do logic-defying things with his grooves. He is a regal on Bloom and already dropped serious heat in January with 'World Famous'. This time he is back with a fresh take on 'Made In New York' which is a 1985 classic by renowned Brazilian funk and jazz pianist Tania Maria. He brings his signature hip-hop flair and creativity with his trusted crew, 45trio, and enlists the dynamic saxophonist King TJ (DA-Dee-MiX) to elevate things further.
Review: The cultured creative minds of James Simonson and Blair French reunite for this new Realities Remix EP on MotorCity Wine which was, in original form, recorded by Simonson in hotel rooms across Europe and the Americas while touring with soul legend Bettye LaVette. As such it takes in myriad global influences as well as evocative field recordings which get reworked in style. Blair French adds his touch with three remixes, firstly the anthemic 'Realities (Projector Remix),' then the more dance-driven 'Elektronolux Overture (Sunday Remix)' and the lush and downtempo 'Hannah (Remix)' featuring violinist Sonia Lee. Two originals 'Realities' and 'Elektronolux Overture' also appear on vinyl for the first time and sound superb.
Review: Longtime disco editor Smoove played his first cards right with Wack Records in 2007, and now he returns to the imprint after decades with another raw-cut, redone diamond; a synth-driven slab of filth-funk reflecting the talents of 80s soul mogul Bobby on vocals. On the flip, things speed up as Smoove flips Mrs Jackson's vocals into a razor-sharp electro funk rework, loaded with punchy edits, Mantronix-inspired stutters, and warped stabs that twist the track into club-ready territory.
Son Palenque - "A Pila El Arroz" (Sound Culture remix) (3:58)
Tropical Scenes (Afroqbano remix) (4:07)
Review: Windy City collective Future Rootz are all about mixing up worldly electronic sounds, Latin, tropical bass and global jazz. This second volume in their new series does just that with two expressive remixes of iconic Afro-Colombian tracks. On Side A, Sound Culture delivers a modern take on Son Palenque's legendary 'A Pila el Arroz,' which was originally composed by Justo Valdez for Palenque Records. He infuses it with fresh and bubbly bass and hypnotic vocal chants. On side-B, Afroqbano reimagines 'Tropical Scenes' by adding a vibrant, rhythm-heavy twist to the original that sympathetically blends traditional Afro-Colombian sounds with electronic influences into a wiggling bit of irresistible and sunny global fusion.
Review: Dynamite Cuts lives up to its name once more by unearthing a deep funk treasure here, and they do the right thing and serve it up for the first time ever on its own 7". Sound Investment's 'Funky Skunk' is a raw and rhythm-heavy rarity previously confined to album-only status. It's bursting with tight grooves, gritty breaks and irresistible energy and is a dream for DJs, collectors and crate-diggers. On the B-side, 'Dirty Man' keeps the heat alive by delivering more deep-fried funk goodness. Both cuts showcase the band's raw musicianship and groove-driven spirit. Authentic funk vibes don't come much better than this.
Review: Scruscru and Los Protos hook up on the former's ever-reliable label for some more funk-fuelled and sample-heavy madness. This eight-tracker draws on the best of Library, jazz, hip hop and soul and collides elements of all of those together with some raw, and what sounds like, MPC beats, all tapped out with a lovably loose vibe. Some like 'Local Sugar Diggers' look up towards a sunny, cloudless sky, others like 'Dreams Of Sonora' are swaggering broken beat workouts with sensuous sax lines setting a steamy tone. 'Por Do Sol Em Shelekhmet' is another highlight with its aloof, angelic vocal tones.
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