Back catalogue: Funk

Review: The Jackson Sisters are next up on the latest 45 from Tower Vinyl, which has in recent times done a superb job of serving up some timeless and effective vintage soul sounds from across different niches and eras. This one kicks off with the well high energy sound of 'Miracles' with its big vocals, bigger drums and raw horns that are well known to cinema goers everywhere. 'Boy You're Dynamite' is a more raw and emotive sound with a striped back rhythm but superbly gut wrenching vocal deliveries.

Review: This classic Japanese funk tune has long been adored by erudite boogie, 80s funk and soul fans in Japan but also more internationally, and for the first time here it is now available as a 7" single. Produced by Toshiki Kadomatsu, the release includes one track each from the Jadoes albums It's Friday from 1986 and Free Drink in 1987, both of which are considered iconic in the Japanese boogie canon. 'Summer Lady' is full of glossy 80s drums and sparking melodies that bring unbridled joy and 'Friday Night' is a little more paired back but the stepping drums and male-female vocal interaction is a thing of beauty.

Review: Originally released in 1993, this special edition enhances The James Taylor Quartet's legacy with remastered tracks and bonus material. Known for its infectious grooves, soulful melodies and catchy Hammond organ riffs, it captures the energy of London's 90s jazz scene and then some. Featuring standout tracks like 'Love Will Keep Us Together,' the album seamlessly blends jazz, funk and soul and this reissue reaffirms its timeless appeal by introducing new generations to its dynamic sound while offering nostalgia for longtime fans. A cornerstone of modern jazz-funk brilliance.

Review: A definitive master of jazz, soul and pop sounds across the decades, Quincy Jones pulled off another gem with this genre-defying collection. It highlights an unparalleled level of musical craftsmanship where the arrangements are lush and use orchestral instruments, funky rhythms and smooth vocals to create a timeless sound. Standout tracks like 'What's Going On?' and 'Theme From The Anderson Tapes' showcase Jones' ability to merge complex jazz harmonies with commercial appeal. He also balances upbeat tracks with introspective, slower tunes with the result reflecting Quincy's deep influence on the music of the last half-century.

Review: Brooklyn's Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings were already underground legends by 2005, but this was the release that blew the doors wide open. Reissued here in a 20th anniversary remaster with full instrumental versions, it captures the group in peak form: tight, defiant and dripping with groove. From the snarling funk of 'My Man is a Mean Man' to the gospel-inflected ache of 'Stranded' and the rolling swagger of 'You're Gonna Get It', every track is a showcase for Jones' irrepressible power. 'How Long Do I Have to Wait For You?' and 'This Land is Your Land' still hit like soul standards, while 'Fish in My Dish' and 'Your Thing is a Drag' lean into grit and grind. The instrumentals only deepen the appreciation: pure rhythm section muscle. Recorded in Bushwick's now-legendary House of Soul, it's the record that built the Daptone soundiand lit the fuse for a soul revival that still resonates today.

Review: Behind the unassuming monotone cover of Colours, Judy Bailey's 1976 electric soul-jazz masterpiece, lies a richly textured, spirited recording that defies its minimalist presentation. A central figure in Australian jazz for over 70 years, pianist and composer Bailey captured the shifting jazz landscape of mid-70s Australia with Colours, a pivotal album in the country's transition from semi-acoustic jazz to electric jazz-funk. Often compared to the smooth production of Creed Taylor's CTI label, Colours features crisp drums, processed bass, and soul-jazz arrangements akin to those heard on Bob James and Joe Farrell albums, while also incorporating influences from the sensual vocals of Flora Purim and the lively flute work of Hubert Laws. Bailey's fusion of these elements with her own signature style creates a warm, sophisticated atmosphere. Tracks like the funky 'Fall Down Dead', the Latin-tinged 'Toledo', the vibrant 'Colours of My Dream' and the expansive 'The Eleven Eight Song' showcase her ability to blend genres seamlessly. With contributions from saxophonist and flutist Ken James, the album's grooves are both refined and raw, adding to its timeless appeal. Now reissued by The Roundtable, this seminal Australian jazz recording is available on vinyl in a replica gatefold sleeve, allowing new listeners to experience its vibrant energy firsthand.

Review: If you're not familiar with the 1973 American-Philippine action movie Savage! then join the club. Distributed through Roger Corman's New World Pictures, the Cirio H. Santiago production was one of around 40 that the Hollywood legend worked on at far lower costs in the Asian island nation compared with back in the US. A somewhat exploitative business model taking advantage of lower wages in a developing country, the story also used more than a few totems of the Blaxploitation canon to tell the tale of a criminal who winds up getting caught up in a revolution to overthrow a military government. Heavy stuff dealt with in a pulp fiction style, the score reflects this - funk filled guitar licks, slap bass and woodwind hooks. Hip hop selectors take note, then, there's plenty to play with here.

Review: Ekoya is the fourth album from Jupiter & Okwess and it marks a new chapter in their sound as they embrace Congolese funk, rock, Afropop and Latin influences. This record was conceived during a South American tour and recorded in Mexico so reflects a cross-cultural fusion that's deeply rooted in African history and features collaborations with artists like Flavia Coelho and Mare Advertencia. Along the way, the music tackles themes of change, resilience and the global challenges we face so tracks like 'Selele' and 'Orgillo' fuse political commentary with big rhythms. Through a great mix of languages, rich instrumentation and powerful messages, Ekoya is a wonderfully worldly celebration.