Back catalogue: Funk

Review: This priceless double-header brings together two timeless gems from South African music icon Letta Mbulu. On one side, the afro-electro boogie cult classic 'Nomalizo', a favourite among diggers and refined selectors alike, with its honeyed vocals, salty synth work and languid rhythms. On the other, there's 'Kilimanjaro Takes Us Higher', an uplifting, up-tempo dancefloor anthem radiating optimism with soul-drenched vocals, funk bass, disco strings and agile keys. Released together as a single for the first time, these sought-after tracks have been embraced across countless scenes for decades. Nothing short of essential.

Review: Deified disco editor Mister Mushi breaks from his own Mushi 45s faction for a diplomatic dance-over with fellow sonic saucerers Disco Donuts, whose third volume in a series hammers home two more spacey soma-uplifts. 'Expansions' of course jazz-funk clarion call 'Expansions' by Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes, whose importuning "expand your mind" motif will never leave us. And of course, there's 'Ghetto Passion', an unknown remix to us, yet whose beats are so punctual that they could pop an iron ballon; this is a raw, clear and seething analogue sound, a style which many disco artists have tried to emulate since.

Review: Funk editor Mister Mushi finalises the latest fleet-dispatch by the eponymous factory known as Mushi 45. All housed on a distinctive yellow, large-innered 7" record (you know, the you need the metal spindle adapter for), every release on this label is a charm. Here the dotted line marks out a well-defined classic by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock from 1998, 'It Takes Two', which in turn samples Lynn Collins' 'Think', after which this reissue is named and from which the now rather saturated vocal sample originates. James Brown's original production and backing "c'mon!" admonitions shine brightly, while Mushi's extra phattenings also serve to emphasise the mix without peaking it.

Review: Under the Linkwood alias, Nick Moore has released a wealth of fine material since debuting in the late 2000s - including a string of sublime albums and EPs. Last year he popped his re-edit cherry alongside The Mighty Zaf via a two-tracker paying tribute to the late, great Phil Asher. Here he takes the next step, delivering a first solo scalpel missive via the reliable and long-running Moton imprint. On side A, the Edinburgh producer attempts to 'Make It Better' via a razor-and-tape style edit of a slap-bass-sporting, synth-wielding slice of early 80s disco-boogie perfection. We have no idea of the source material, but the lightly extended track is as infectious as it is intriguing. Over on side B, 'No Easy' is a sweet, string-laden slab of mid-tempo disco-soul sweetness, while 'Brekkers' is a squelchy, up-tempo electrofunk workout tailor-made for break-dancers.

Review: The debut release from Hebrew Israelite vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Margeeah Aharon was recorded in July 1983 with the Kingdom Sounds community band in Tel Aviv. This deeply introspective blend of jazz, soul, funk and reggae is guided by Margeeah Aharon's soothing yet resolute voice, imbued with a meditative graceidrifting between the searching melodies of 'Bring The People Home' and the deep-rooted spirituality of 'Rise Black Spirit', while 'Music Is My Love' glows with warmth and devotion. The reflective 'Daughters Of Zion' and the title track capture Aharon's gift for meditative storytelling, where faith and longing intertwine. Decades later, the album's messages of love and self-discovery are as vital as ever.

Review: 1997's Slow Traffic to the Right found Bennie Maupin navigating between cerebral jazz and deep funk with style and ease. Though generally known for his abstract leanings and serious musical demeanour, here he showed a lighter side - not least because he is actually smiling on the album cover - while diving into grooves shaped by his time with Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. With help from rhythm masters like Mike Clark and Paul Jackson, Maupin swaps out ECM austerity for signature Oakland bounce, so tracks like 'It Remains to Be Seen' and 'You Know the Deal' excel with newfound swagger without abandoning his jazz roots. It's a compelling pivot into accessible, funky and smart jazz soul.

Review: Germany's funk collective expand their sound on this release, recorded live at the MPS studio in the Black Forest. The raw, break-heavy foundation remains, but the album ventures into jazz, soul, and psychedelia, capturing an organic energy that feels both spontaneous and precise. Tracks like 'Open The Gate' blend punchy brass with intricate rhythms, while 'Spinning' layers folk-psych guitar and cinematic horns, creating a fluid dialogue between the musicians. 'Back And Better' highlights Nichola Richards' soulful vocals, adding depth to the sparse beats. The album also explores playful experimentation, with 'Sparks of Joy' embracing a swampy groove, and 'Phantom Power' introducing an electric phin, nodding to world jazz influences. Carlton Jumel Smith's performance on 'Can't Stop This Fire' and the gospel-tinged 'Homebound' anchor the album, grounding its expansive journey. The result is a cohesive and evolving soundione that truly captures the clearly audible joy of collaboration.