Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Favourite Records' new reissues series come with a new concept; each classic track comes with an exclusive bit of artwork on each side of the 12" sleeve. This time, they compile two speedy funk tracks from Crystal and J.E.K.Y.S.; 'Funky Biguine' is an homage to the French ballroom style of the same name, from which it draws influence, while 'Looking For You' is a devotional dream from J.E.K.Y.S., a French band singing in English. Slick, quick, and affecting stuff.

Review: Jaribu Afrobeat Arkestra are an entirely unique phenomenon, a Japanese collective pushing forward Neo-Afrobeat with heavy influence of the classic Japanese jazz sound and the long tradition of covering iconic western soul/funk tracks. Aretha Franklin's 'Rock Steady' is a collaboration with fellow Japanese artist Tina (aka Luv Tina), a decorated vocal powerhouse in the early 2000s R&B landscape, culminating in a mind-boggling genre mashup that defies expectations. The J.A.A. chorus section matches Tina's power perfectly with the blaring jazz instrumental, with phenomenal sax and trumpets. Swipe this coloured reissue before it goes again, you have to hear it to feel it.

Review: An iconic soundtrack to a classic blaxploitation flick, JJ Johnson and Martha Reeves & The Sweet Things turned a collective head when they simultaneously composed their core themes for Willie Dynamite, directed by obscure director Gilbert Moses. This ineluctable screen treat stars Roscoe Orman and Diana Sands in a quintessential portrayal of early '70s New York pimping, with the central character's foibles giving rise to a latent conscience when he comes into contact with a young social worker. As is often the case with the blaxploitation genre, Willie Dynamite begins with the lead character cruising down the streets of New York in some kind of fancy car, and 'tracked by the central theme: the theme of Reeves' 'Willie D' is clear as day, lyrically portraying D's hustle as 'magic', "never treating two girls the same", "it's no different from any other industry". 'Keep On Movin' On' contrasts this with a note of modesty, signaling the movie's inevitable tonal shift; nor should you miss the B-side instrumentals 'Willie Chase' and 'Parade Strut'.

Review: Formative disco five-piece who've been sampled and re-edited to the max over the last 20 years, here we find The Joneses in their original form. And they still sound as relevant and timelessly funky now as they did when this arrived in 1981. The original is a tight Chic-style guitar and bass groove that's accentuated by occasional falsetto vocal hits and flurries of disco bubbles and street sounds. Flip for "Summer Groove (Moving On)" where the blistering tight bassline and guitar licks are complemented with a tiny bit more vocal majesty. Instant seasonal sounds, have you kept up with The Joneses recently?

Review: Carlton Jumel Smith earned himself the title Mr Soul, being one of NYC's foremost exponents of a faithful sound which keeps the Motown flame alive. Having released a couple of singles on Timmion last year as well as linking up with Dojo Cuts on Colemine, now Smith is stepping out on Mocambo with the riotous party starter 'Keep On Swinging', a heated affair with sassy brass, overdriven guitar licks and the man himself holding it down with a killer vocal turn. 'Hope' on the flip is a funkier number which calls to mind classic Curtis Mayfield, not least thanks to that sprightly percussion section. Great modern soul music which knows where it's coming from.

Review: Just What The World Needs returns to their own self-titled label with a 14th outing of fiery disco heat. This is potent music that melds together jazz, funk and soul with a lashing of synth goodness. The opener is a real driver with emotive gospel vocals and mad jazz keys. Second is a slower jam with a more dreamy feel then the flip side comes on strong with jazz say leading the way beneath vaping chords and funky, smooth drums. Last of all is a supercharged leftfield bomb with explosive cosmic synths and the sort of energy that stands out in any set.

Review: Everyone's favourite masked hero Jaguar Skills doesn't do things by halves so when he decided to celebrate 70s cinema and write his own soundtrack, he went IN. Working with musicians who've played with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lala Schifrin and Tony Allen, 'The Man In The Jaguar Mask' is the ultimate homage to the art of movie scores. Expect all your favourite scenes... the instant attention-span grabbing high funk opening sequence ('The Prisoner Escapes'), the creepy just-before-the-action-kicks-off flute flurries ('Protocol'), the all important car chase ('Black Belt') and the epic crescendo ('The Freeman') All composed and produced using classic scoring techniques, this is Jaguar Skills at his most ambitious and musically articulate. Essential on vinyl.

Review: Los Angeles 12-piece Jungle Fire rarely fails to deliver the goods, offering a heatwave-hot fusion of Latin and African rhythms, rousing horns and infectious instrumentation. This was evident from their earliest releases, particularly debut album Tropicoso, which has now been given the reissue treatment (on pink vinyl, no less) after being out of print for the best part of eight years. It's packed to the rafters with inspired workouts, with our highlights including the glistening guitars and punchy horns of Afrobeat workout 'Comencemos (Let's Start)', the Fela Kuti-esque brilliance of 'Firewalker', the pitched-down dancefloor tropicala of the superb title track, and the toe-tapping, sweat-soaked heat of Afro-funk bomb 'Village Hustle'. In a word: essential!