Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Two tracks, originally unreleased when they were recorded in the late 70s and only surfaced later on the 1993 Ace compilation Greatest Performance, which showcase the exceptional range and emotional depth of this New Orleans artist. Johnny Adams' soulful gem, 'It's You Baby, It's You' along with 'Think About You', finally sees its debut 7" release. On Side-A, 'It's You Baby, It's You' is a positive and uplifting soul anthem. Driven by a strong horn section and a touch of funk, the track radiates joy and energy, with Adams' signature powerful vocals anchoring the vibe. His voice soars, wrapping the listener in its warm embrace. Side-B delivers 'Think About You', equally stunning, featuring big strings that elevate this beat-ballad to stunning heights. It matches the A-side's intensity, with Adams pouring his heart into every note. The arrangement complements his vocals perfectly, offering a lush, emotional experience. This release gives fans a chance to rediscover one of New Orleans' finest, adding a classic touch to the Soul4Real catalog.

Review: Both of these funk gems are taken from a cult compilation Trans Groove Express, which explored the sounds of Express Records and was assembled by MURO. Fourth Wave now serve them up on a superb 7", starting with Maki Asakawa. 'Hohi Hitotsu' is a delightfully gentle and subtle dub with funky guitars adding movement while the sultry vocal soars. Yasuhiro Abe's 'Night Fish' is a brighter and more retro 80s soul and boogie sound with glowing chords and snappy hits. The Japanese language vocal is emotive enough to mean plenty without understanding the meaning of the words.

Review: After a run of hit singles on Penrose Records, The Altons are primed to release their debut album, Heartache in Room 14, on Daptone. Adriana Flores and Brian Ponce share lead vocals, creating a romantic depth often missing in today's soul. The album dives into moody ballads and tejano-flavoured duets, with hints of Bond theme psychedelia that give it a cinematic edge. Heartache in Room 14 promises to be more than just another soul record and is rather is a must-have for 2025.

Review: The Altons make their Daptone debut with Heartache in Room 14, pressed here as a limited sky-blue vinyl LP with an MP3 download code. Known for their streak of standout singles on Penrose Records, this release sees Adriana Flores and Brian Ponce sharing lead vocals, adding a heartfelt, almost cinematic quality that cuts through today's soul. Expect moody ballads, tejano-inspired duets and splashes of Bond-esque psychedelia. Heartache in Room 14 isn't just another soul album - it's primed to be 2025's must-have in this exclusive sky-blue pressing.

Review: The forthcoming collaboration between anaiis and Grupo Cosmo presents a captivating fusion of contemporary soul and Brazilian musical traditions. The album features tracks like 'Toda Cor' and 'Voyage,' which blend anaiis's soulful vocals with Grupo Cosmo's rich instrumentation, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in cultural heritage. This milky vinyl LP offers listeners a unique auditory experience, highlighting the seamless integration of diverse musical styles.

Review: You have a genuine piece of musical history here. The Anchors may not be remembered by many, but made a significant impact on everyone who does. Black Soul is the third and - to all musicologist knowledge - last record put out by this pioneering South African funk-soul outfit. Straight out of the Johannesburg township of Alexandria at the height of Apartheid, they became known for exceptional musicianship and reinterpreting the classic Memphis, USA sound for their own oppressed community. Part three of that legacy takes things much, much further, though. So, we can definitely still hear those Mid South sounds that represent the very essence of soul, but here the aesthetic becomes something altogether different, Afro and specific to time and place. Homage paid to the genre founders, but drawing on personal circumstances to own things for themselves.

Review: As it is often best done in soul, contemporary band Annie & The Caldwells are a family affair, channelling the depths of heartache and euphoria through danceable Mississippi-born bombasts. Lead vocalist Annie Caldwell leads the band alongside her husband of 50 years Willie Joe Caldwell, and is backed by children Deborah, Anjessica, Toni, Willie Jr. and Abel. Juggling hard work with harder musical playing, Can't Lose My Soul takes aim at modern day soul greatness, documenting quotidian struggles and everyday joys in song, and centring their concept on their locality of Main Street, West Point, Mississippi, where the family have run various businesses for decades. With a record this rooted in community, who better to rep the Southern soul set than the Caldwells?

Review: Mikahl Anthony's debut full-length, Muse, offers a profound auditory journey reflecting his expansive influence across the alt-soul and hip-hop realms. Renowned for collaborations with Mick Jenkins, Chance The Rapper, and others, and as a core member of THEMpeople, Anthony presents a richly layered narrative through this album. Muse integrates self-directed visuals with its deeply personal and introspective content. The project explores themes of self-growth and reflection, blending various voices and experiences with Anthony's own lyrical depth. The title, representing 'Ms. Using Sensual Energy' and 'Making Use of Seclusion Every Day', hints at the album's dual focus on intimate self-discovery and isolation as a creative force. Tracks like 'La Flare' and 'MollyAmory' showcase a mix of ethereal melodies and gritty textures, while the closing piece employs reverb-drenched saxophone to evoke emotional complexity. The music, crafted with a cinematic sensibility, engages listeners in a dynamic exploration of personal and communal stories, making Muse a compelling reflection of Anthony's artistic vision and growth.

Review: This P.P. Arnold album celebrates her remarkable seven-decade career and spans multiple genres with timeless music and unforgettable performances. It is a comprehensive collection compiled by Arnold herself with 25 tracks across a double P including iconic singles, album tracks, unreleased recordings, demos, live performances and rare mixes, many of which are only here and now available for the first time. The set also features detailed sleeve notes by author Jude Rogers which offer an ever deeper dive into Arnold's extraordinary legacy.

Review: We've checked ourselves thoroughly, and even though PP Arnold's new greatest hits compilation Soul Survivor is indeed the first to reflect on her extensive career - one that has remained consistent since the 1960s - we can assure you we're not suffering from survivorship bias! The life and work of Patricia Ann Cole is duly honoured here on this Demon Music retrospection, requiting the boundless, panacean soul music the American singer has let escape her lungs over the years. Now in her seventh decade of performing and releasing music, Arnold shows no signs of holding back; Soul Survivor first appeared on the scene as a humungous 57-song box set, and it is now condensed down to 25 of the very best selections.

Review: Polish producer Latarnik and American vocalist Anthony Mills collide on this new album for Polish label Astigmatic to explore lo-fi hip-hop, soul, dub and experimental electronics. Mills's falsetto vocal brings great Neo-soul warmth to Crack Rock with emotionally charged tones soaring over the production which ranges from sugary and 80s-tinged disco and boogie on 'Crack' to deep, seductive and gooey on 'Passive Lover' which is a more romantic sound. Latarnik's work is often minimal yet immersive which creates space for Mills' voice to shine and is delivered in equal parts spoken word, chant and soulful croon. The hypnotic, slow-burning soundscapes that result are both intimate and confrontational, ready to make you dance but also often just to feel. Unapologetically raw and deeply human, this one lingers long after the final track ends.