Review: Conceived for maximum floor-lift, Daje Funk is the namesake of both artist and label; here the elusive but fun-loving moniker brings another four whopper disco edit-remixes to vinyl, further charging the collective body with a haul of kitsch spirituals. Three out of four tracks here are "lovely edited" - intentional or not, we can't resisting stealing such brilliant turns of phrase - by longtime Roman disco purveyor Les Inferno, with the support of a cracking cadre made up of fellow producers and engineers Max Pottini, Emiliano Patrick Legato and Dom Scuteri. Stefano Fusco also handles the B1; and though we don't know the original IDs of any of the tracks here, the vibe is consistently spirited, and the artists only carefully betray their access to the original stems (made eventually obvious by faint vocal delays, extra-thwacking kick EQs, etc.).
Review: Boom! Ultra rare outernational funk reissue action by the new Habibi Funk imprint! Dalton were a late '60s soul band formed in Tunis by a group of American music enthusiasts, and their one and only LP under the Dalton name was independently released and super rare until now. "Alech" nears psychedelic territories thanks to its echoing vocals and trippy percussion, whereas "Soul Brother" is more of a classic soul ballad, but filled with the band's own native roots, of course. Be sure to check, this is hot and recommended for the diggers.
Review: P-Vine Japan does great work once more here by bringing back into print some hugely sought-after sounds from the blues and r&b world. The first release in their new series revives Larry Davis' 1969 Kent Records single, which was originally written by Sherwood Fleming. The A-side, 'For 5 Long Years' delivers a gritty mid-tempo funk-blues groove while the B-side, 'I've Been Hurt So Many Times' (a classic subject for a blues tune) channels Willie Cobbs' signature sound. These will be familiar to anyone who has danced at a Northern Soul event and cannot be slept on.
Review: Originally composed by Don Blackman and recorded by Weldon Irvine in 1975, this rare 70s groove has been reimagined in a brand-new recording that importantly stays true to the essence of the original. The updated version features Natalie Duncan alongside DOS on vocals and the music is arranged by Bluey and showcases a talented lineup of musicians from Incognito who bring a fresh yet faithful twist. It blends soulful instrumentation with a contemporary touch that is sure to connect with all new audiences.
Review: The emerging Disco label sure does love disco - specifically a sound infused with funk, soul and in the case of the opera, lovestruck vocals that melt thereat. They come with a nice languid bassline and some sophisticated strings while 'Song' has a super cool and breezy groove and vocal that is airy, light, and uplifting in quietly devastating fashion. 'Fear' is more of a party starter with glossy vocals and strident claps and drums then 'Do You' shuts down with more jazzy flute motifs and a lo-fi rhythm with vocals that speak of late night love and lust.
Review: DJ Bacon's new edits LP Super Disco Raps takes two forms: firstly as a full-length 16-track LP, and secondly as a selectors' single edition, the latter of which you see here. 'Vol. 2' hears two extra remixes that did make the big disc's cut, but Bacon decided they also suited a limited edition 7" release for good measure. Playability is the implied reason: on the A we've a glossed-out disco scratch-tool remix of Wu Tang Clan's 'Gravel Pit', on which ghostly rap acapellas are laid to a lackadaisical funk beat, and on the B there's a similar version of Ultramagnetic MC's's 'Moe Luv's Theme', which loops and skips about an unmistakable four-beat, wax-scrubbing hook.
DJ Deviant & Swamburger - "Get On The Floor" (3:33)
DJ Deviant - "Where's The Party" (3:47)
Review: DJ Deviant and Swamburger join forces for a double-sided serving of feel-good hip-hop and r&b on this 7" release. 'Get On The Floor' is a surefire party starter, its infectious beat and catchy hooks practically demanding movement and setting the tone for a night of good times. The track is a vibrant blend of classic hip-hop elements and contemporary production, with DJ Deviant's cuts and scratches adding a layer of turntablist flair. On the flip, 'Where's The Party' sees DJ Deviant flying solo, keeping the energy high with a smooth groove and feelgood vibes that are reminiscent of 90s r&b classics. The ever enduring appeal of hip-hop and r&b in full effect.
Funkin On The One (feat Funkin' On The One) (4:42)
Review: These are two proper old school dance floor heaters from DJ Friction - yes, the very same - who in 2017 debuted his boogie and modern funk project, Ground Control, with first album Boogie Some More via Sedsoul Records. The glorious tunes feature vocals from David Whitley, Tansy Davis, Adriano Prestel, Ciaan, and Talkboxers Sin2 and CJ and now two tracks from the album come on this exclusive 7". This marks the beginning of a new era for DJ Friction who launches Soulsonic Recordings. Both of these are two more colourful and charming neo-boogie bangers with rich licks, bold basslines and irresistible funk.
Review: Originally released in 2017, 'All Night Long' now gets a well-deserved vinyl release on 7". A tribute to the golden era of funk and disco, this release perfectly captures the electrifying energy of the early 80s while keeping things fresh for modern dancefloors. 'All Night Long' is a shimmering fusion of funk, soul, disco and electro, dripping with nostalgia. The groove is infectious, with crisp drum machines, funky basslines and synth stabs that instantly bring to mind classics from the likes of The Whispers or Shalamar. It's the kind of track that oozes retro charm but remains undeniably timeless. On the flip, 'Funkin On The One' shifts gears into a deep funk workout inspired by legends like Zapp & Roger and The Gap Band. Heavy slap bass, talkbox vocals and tight rhythms make this a certified dancefloor bomb, embracing the spirit of 80s funk with authentic precision.
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.
Kool & The Gang - "Give It Up" (DJ Soopasoul edit) (4:02)
Aretha Franklin - "Rock Steady" (DJ Soopasoul edit) (3:30)
Review: Jalapeno jive maestro Soupasoul had another standout year, in 2024 and only heightened his reputation for crafting exceptional edits that bring new life into funk standards and hidden gems. With a sharp focus on the groove-rich breaks, he is back once again with another instalment that will ignite dance floors everywhere. This time his scorching rework of 'Give It Up' spotlights dynamic horn interplay and soulful jazzy choruses and 'Rock Steady' celebrates Aretha's powerful vocals paired with a killer breakbeat. These finely tuned edits honour the originals while adding fresh energy.
Review: After the critically acclaimed Avoude (5 stars & 'Top of the World' on Songlines, Bandcamp top pick, Le Monde, BBC Radio, Pop Matters), Sol Power Sound proudly presents a scorching remix EP from West African psychedelic powerhouse Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band. Rooted in Togo's deep cultural and Vodun traditions, Dogo's sound is reimagined here by a heavyweight lineup of producers. Captain Planet kicks things off with a percussive African house groove, while Sol Power All-Stars ask, What if Prince joined Dogo in 1983? The result? A synth-laced funk HIIT workout. Detroit icons John Beltran and Blair French bring Afro-Brazilian and deep house flavors, before Glenn Echo closes with a mind-bending 12/8 dub trip.
Review: In 1969, Duo Ouro Negro travelled to the US and came back changed. By 1972, they channelled said many cross-country encounters with Black Power politics, spiritual jazz and liberation struggles into Blackground: a bold, pan-African statement recorded not in Luanda but Lisbon. The Angolan duo, already global stars in Portuguese-speaking circuits, were heard fusing jazz-funk with messages of decolonisation and Black identity, summed up in Raul Indipwo's cry: "Don't forget your blackground." A decade later, in 1981, the record was reworked with fresh arrangements and additions like the instrumental 'Iemenja' and the percussion-heavy 'Aruandai'. This new edition from Digei De Bairro brings that fiercely rhythmic and politically charged LP back into circulation, a vital slice of Lusophone jazz-funk with global intent.
Emmaculate & DJ Spen - "Step Into A Black Whole" (13:38)
Emmaculate - "Boogie On Disco Woman" (6:41)
Review: Like a veteran striker in his final season, GAMM has really captured some top form on late and now drops a fire premiere from Chicago's Emmaculate and legendary Basement Boys producer DJ Spen. Opener 'Step Into A Black Whole' is a genre-hopping 11-minute journey that moves from deep house to a hip-hop breakdown featuring KRS-One before morphing into a jazzy Afrobeat stomper. First heard by GAMM contributor Coflo during a wild house set, the track blew the roof off and always will. On the B-side, 'Boogie On Disco Woman' delivers a gritty funk, disco and soul rework with raw drums, clavinets and soulful vocals. Two standouts.
Review: At the start of the COVID-19 shutdown, Rob Hart and David A. Tobin were writing music for an artist's project. When the artist left, they found themselves reflecting not on lost work but on their shared love for music. Their conversation turned to the 90s-a time when hip-hop fused with funk and soul, promoting fun, parties and unity. Inspired by this, Rob created a sound palette echoing the hits of the early 80s and 90s, while David envisioned a local club vibe. In one day, they crafted this song with infectious hooks, nostalgic beats and joyful energy. Rob's production polished the track into a "hands-in-the-air" anthem-a tribute to good times and a beacon of positivity in dark times.
Review: Adding to the fervour around Japanese city pop - the genre is still a clogged but speculative seep for reissuers, who are keen to capitalise on the mainly Tokyo-born genre's still underground, under-recognised reserves of music - comes DJ Nutoya with a fresh and terse ten-tracker compilation: Tokyo Bliss. This breezy selection centres on the all-rounder genre's favourite international foci, boogie and funk: frissonic formulas for sensational home listening. Most tracks here make their debut on vinyl outside of Japan; from Buzz's pristine tremolo'er 'Garasumado', to Keiko Toda's escape-noteworthy 'Fade In' and Yuji Mitsuya's delirious summer disco dirge 'After Five At Caf-Bar', this is an impeccable curation job.
Review: Over the course of two fine, full-length excursions, Don Glori (real name Gordon Li) has perfected a warm, breezy and frequently life-affirming trademark sound that cannily joins the dots between jazz, samba, MPB, jazz-funk and soul. He leans into the latter elements more on summery third set Paper Can't Wrap Fire, drawing on the talents of a wealth of Melbourne music friends across nine sublime tracks. There's much to admire throughout, from the sun-soaked jazz-funk/soul fusion of 'Brown Eyes' and summery head-nodder 'Janet', to the spiritual jazz joy of 'Song For Ants', the Brazilian brilliance of 'Precious' and the oceans-deep nu-jazz shuffle of 'Saturn's Return'.
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