Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Karate Boogaloo are pioneers of Melbourne's cinematic instrumental soul scene, with roots deeply entrenched in the city's DIY soul movement, the quartet's musical journey from high school pals to seasoned collaborators evident in their cohesive sound. Following their acclaimed release Carn The Boogers, Hold Your Horses offers a distinct blend of instrumental funk that we find irresistible. Recorded live with a strict no overdubs policy, the album captures the band's raw energy and tight-knit chemistry. Each track seamlessly flows into the next, blending tension, melody, and funk. Bassist Henry Jenkins, the mastermind behind the band's sound, leads the recording and mixing process, ensuring a consistent sonic aesthetic across the College Of Knowledge catalogue. The collaborative songwriting approach allows the band to expand upon their strengths as musicians and friends. Stylistically, Hold Your Horses draws inspiration from deep funk, European film music and instrumental soul, showcasing a restrained yet dynamic instrumental palette.

Review: Colemine Records is reissuing Orgone's 2008 classic Bacano on vinyl for the first time, here exclusively for Black Friday RSD 2024. Known for their raw, organic California soul, Orgone's music grabs you by the collar and pulls you to the dance floor. The band's journey began in the San Fernando Valley, where two friends, united by their love for gritty 60s and 70s soul, drew inspiration from the vibrant music scene in Los Angeles during the late 90s. This collaboration ignited a movement, and Orgone has since become a key player in delivering timeless funk for music lovers.

Review: Parlor Greens' debut album, In Green We Dream, is a prime example of the raw energy and collaborative spirit that defines their sound. Comprised of seasoned musicians Tim Carman on drums, Jimmy James on guitar, and Adam Scone on organ, this organ trio from Colemine Records dives headfirst into a rich blend of jazz, soul, and funk. The album bursts with vintage vibes reminiscent of Blue Note and Prestige records, yet infused with their distinct flair. From the lively groove of 'Parlor Strut,' where Jimmy James's guitar work shines with rhythm and precision, to the soulful sway of 'Sugar Maple,' each track features their musical chemistry and individual strengths. Adam Scone's masterful command of the organ adds depth and soulfulness throughout, drawing from his extensive experience in the soul revival scene. Recorded at Colemine's Portage Lounge, the album captures the spontaneity and magic of their initial jam session, yielding ten original compositions and a cover, all delivered with infectious energy and tight musicianship. In Green We Dream not only pays homage to their influences like Grant Green and The Meters but also establishes Parlor Greens as a band to look out for in contemporary music.

Review: Parlor Greens' debut album, In Green / We Dream, is an exhilarating entry into heavy instrumental music. This fresh organ trio, featuring Tim Carman (GA-20) on drums, Jimmy James (True Loves, formerly Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio) on guitar, and Adam Scone (Scone Cash Players, The Sugarman 3) on organ, delivers a masterful blend of soul, jazz, and funk. Scone's impeccable organ work, honed through years of soul jazz and Daptone sessions, pairs perfectly with James' signature funky guitar and Carman's rock-solid, blues-infused drumming. Recorded at Colemine Records' new Portage Lounge studio in Loveland, Ohio, the chemistry was immediate. Within minutes of plugging in, the trio wrote and recorded 'West Memphis,' setting the tone for the rest of the album. Over three days, they crafted 11 tracks - ten originals - capturing a raw, soulful energy straight to tape. The result is a stunning collection of music, mixed beautifully for a vintage yet fresh sound. In Green / We Dream is a fantastic debut, showcasing Parlor Greens' collective genius and undeniable groove.

Review: A nine-piece instrumental combo hailing from San Diego, California, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble deliver a heady brew of jazz, funk and global rhythms on their latest offering. Recorded in their homebase of Lemon Grove, the album sees them expanding their sonic palette, drawing on library music, spiritual jazz and exotica. Tracks like 'Makin' Moves' and 'The Grifter' showcase the band's signature funk-driven energy, their tight grooves and soaring horns recalling the classic sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power. But there's a more introspective side on display too, with tracks like 'Mother Earth' and 'Freddie' evoking the spirits of Freddie Hubbard and Phil Ranelin, their introspective melodies and atmospheric textures adding a layer of depth and complexity. 'Corporatocracy' is a standout, its extended tabla solo and modal funk groove demonstrating the band's willingness to experiment with unconventional sounds and structures. This adventurous spirit is a hallmark of The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, a band consistently pushing the boundaries of their sound while remaining firmly rooted in the traditions of jazz and funk.

Review: The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, a soul and funk nonnet from San Diego, have long blessed the Colemine modern funk sceptre with crumbled parfaits of funk topped with crumbly analog psychedelia and Afrobeat. With their new album, they ravage fresher sonic territories. Recorded between 2021 and 2024 in Lemon Grove, California, Gemini centres on their already-laid breakbeat-heavy funk-soul-jazz foundation, heard in tracks like 'Makin' Moves' and 'The Grifter', but they also draw influence from library music, spiritually-inclined jazz and exotica adjacents. Personifying the astrological Gemini - curiosity, versatility - 'Corporatocracy' stands out as special, welding an extended tabla solo to a wordless critique of the world's most egregious mega-firms.

Review: Previously a Record Store Day special, Colemine elevate this epic 45" compendium to permanent status. 22 tracks heavy, the double 12" whammy unites some of Colemine's finest curations over the years into one perfect collection. From the rare shimmering guitars and woozy horns of The Rugged Nuggets to Colemine debuts such as the sweaty afrofunk boogaloo fusion of Ikebe Shakedown's 2009 breakthrough "Hard Stepping" and the garage funk fizz of Alan Evans Trio's 2012 "Drop Hop" via the beautiful "Smile" from Duran Jones & The Indications' debut album last year, no other album represents the breadth, warmth and vitality of Colemine quite as succinctly as this collection. Slab it up.