Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: A Skillz and Krafty Kuts are veteran names by now but at one option they were some of the hottest new DJs and producers in the game. They pioneered a breakbeat, cut-up and paste sounds 20 years ago that was high on energy and with plenty of character. Now they look to the roots of the sounds they used to draw from and serve up a new single on Jam City that is all about disco. 'Lit Up' has loose, jumbled drums and funk basslines with some great vocal flourishes up top from Gizelle Smith. A remix on the flip takes things into deeper new soul territory.

Review: This evergreen favourite gets another reissue, this time on coloured vinyl. Cool Million's 'Tonight' featuring the legendary Glenn Jones mixes up lush 80s soul and funk with a modern twist. Jones's soulful vocals seamlessly float as he serves up smooth lyrics that perfectly complement the infectious groove crafted by Cool Million. There's a nice balance of nostalgia throughout as retro influences kiss up with modern production which means that the tune carries a timeless appeal and always stands out in any set. This remains a must-cop, especially as we head into summer.

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: 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: Africa Seven's A7 Edits offshoot has already proved to be one of the better re-edit series around, primarily because they consistently employ some of the best re-editors in the business, offering them the opportunity to select tracks they want to rework from the parent label's vast catalogue of licensed cuts. This edition - the seventh EP to date - is another action-packed winner. Rising star Alan Dixon delivers a lightly tooled-up, all-action revision of Gyedu Bley Amadou's tropical disco classic 'Highlife', before Barcelona-based John Talabot and Pional re-frame Ekambi Brilliant's 'Afrika Afrika' as a kind of Afro-post-punk/dub disco mash-up. Over on side B, Escapade dances through a bouncy disco-house take on Pasteur Lappe's 'Na Real Sekele Fo Ya', while Jacques Renault expertly rearranges Michael Amara's Afro-disco-funk staple 'New Bell'.

Review: Samosa Records returns with Afrikano Vol. 3 which is a lovely Afro-themed, genre-blending EP featuring four standout tracks from trusted artists. Kicking things off is Vincent Galgo's 'African Rebel,' a 125bpm fusion of horns, driving rhythms, and Afro-pop bass. Frank Virgilio follows with 'Mistress,' a jazz-infused mid-tempo groover, packed with guitar riffs, organ stabs, and hypnotic bongos. Newcomer Casper Leo delivers 'Tom Tom,' a tribal delight featuring Kora guitar and melodic Marimba. Closing the EP is Lego Edit's 'El Safari,' a sultry Afrobeat banger that grabs hold and doesn't let go.

Review: The Gallery series of edits and reworks has already dropped some killer cuts, though we're no nearer discovering the identities of the 'unknown artists' behind the imprint and its fine collection of re-appropriated disco workouts. On 'Don't Wait For The Doctor', a single-sided affair, they dip their toes into the sometimes murky world of the mash-up/bootleg remix. Of course, it's a tasteful and well-crafted affair, with our mysterious heroes combining a gently tweaked, effects-laden instrumental re-edit of First Choice Salsoul classic 'Doctor Love', with vocals borrowed from another Larry Levan favourite, NYC Peech Boys' proto-house classic 'Don't Make Me Wait'. The nods to the Paradise Garage legend don't stop there, either, with the infamous laughter sample associated with his DJ sets and remixes making an appearance from time to time too.

Review: Gloria Gaynor, renowned for her global hit 'I Will Survive', brings back a forgotten gem in the shape of 'This Love Affair,' re-released by Expansion Records. This soul and disco classic captures pure Philly magic, co-written by Gaynor herself and given that authentic flavour by arrangers Norman Harris and Ron 'Have Mercy' Kersey. Side-1 features the definitive 7" version of 'This Love Affair,' a sought-after rarity since its original 1978 release, with its irresistible groove packed into just 2 minutes and 43 seconds. Side-2 offers the full album version, still beloved by fans. This back-to-back release is great for soul and disco aficionados, showcasing Gaynor's timeless talent and the enduring allure of Philly soul.

Review: George and Glen Miller are undoubtedly best known for their West End Records released 1982 boogie-soul classic "Touch Your Life". They released plenty of other records that flitted between soca, reggae, disco, and - in the latter stages of their career - electrofunk. "Easing", which appeared at some point at the turn of the '80s on London label Third World, remains one of their most potent releases - and, in its original form at least, formidably hard to find. This Soundway reissue wisely replicates the track list of the original release, beginning with the title track - a deliciously percussive, musically intricate chunk of peak-time disco smothered in sharp, Afro-funk style horns and George and Glen Miller's lilting reggae-soul style vocals. The flipside "Version" strips out the vocals, allowing listeners to hear in greater detail the pair's impeccable arrangements and instrumentations (particularly the fine orchestration and rich groove).

Review: Earlier this year, DJ Scientist stumbled upon another early Ghia composition tucked away in the depths of a master tape. It was a treasure too precious to remain unheard. Sadly, the original track couldn't see the light of day due to sound quality and issues with the original vocals. To make matters more disappointing, no instrumental version survived. Thus, the only way to share this catchy boogie funk track with the world was to recreate it from scratch. And so, the Ghia saga unfolds once more, but in this chapter, there's a new and unique twist. 'Out Of Luck' draws its roots from the aforementioned lost track, originally composed by the group in 1985. This time, however, the song has been expertly reworked by Marian Tone, with new vocals by Adriano Prestel. The outcome? Quite possibly one of the smoothest and most refreshing modern funk tunes you'll hear this year.

Review: GI-YO steps in with a debut single on Sedsoulciety Recordings that fuses classic r'&b with a new-boogie vibe and modern pop flair. Packed with tight, punchy rhythms, a catchy bassline and vibrant keyboard riffs, this track exudes energy. GI-YO, a talented writer and producer, brings it all together by playing each instrument himself, with production support from Rob Hardt for that final polish. Released as an exclusive vinyl 45, this track is part of Sedsoulciety's gold line, showcasing a fresh, contemporary sound with undeniable groove and personality.

Review: Gaika is the experimental rapper, producer, and visual and performance artist you need in your life, and what better way to get acquainted if you aren't already than with this new 12" for Theme LTD. 'S Composites' opens up and features Liu adding some angelic vocal sounds to the crunchy broken beast, glassy synths and generally frosty, lo-fi production aesthetic. It's a tune that will lodge deep in your brain then on the flipside is 'Racing Gloves' (feat The Narrator). It's a spacious, eerie, rather haunting number with woozy pads and some nice conscious bars over the dubby low ends.

Review: As Tangent, one of London's cherished underground institutions, marks a decade of unforgettable nights, it does so with a meticulously curated compilation on Mr Bongo. The new release is more than a celebratory gesture; it's a sonic anthology reflecting the essence of a decade spent at the heart of the city's underground scene. Curated by Tangent's own John Gomez and Nick the Record, the compilation presents a blend of rare and dancefloor-ready tracks that have defined their parties over the years. This isn't merely a collection of past hits; it's a celebration of the edits that transformed these tracks into Tangent anthems. Alongside remastered reissues, the CD edition includes three exceptional edits by Nick, John, and Dan Tyler of the Idjut Boys, each crafted with the kind of attention to detail that only years of club experience can bring. Nick's collaboration with Dan Tyler on Leo Basel's 'Quelle Drole De Vie' breathes new life into a 1987 remix, honing in on the standout elements of the original. The result is a vibrant, French boogie-infused track that promises to elevate any dancefloor. John and Dan's rework of Love Isaacs' 'Surprise Surprise' offers a cosmic twist on 80s electro-funk, extending the grooves and adding a highlife touch that enhances the track's dancefloor potential. The compilation's crowning piece is Nick's edit of Rick Asikpo and Afro Fusion's 'Let's Get High'. This 12-minute reimagining takes the energetic climax of the original and expands it into a frenetic, cosmic journey, showcasing synthesised jazz-funk in its most exhilarating form. This release is not just about revisiting old favourites; it's about acknowledging the transformative power of edits and the unique role Tangent has played in shaping London's underground music scene over the past decade.

Review: On his latest EP 'Sunday Soul', Goodge takes listeners on a four-track journey into the many-chambered heart of funk, r&b, jazz and chillout. From the starting gun, we're hit with whammied axes and street-level audio-bustles, recalling the many exploitation movie soundtracks of the seventies and chic funkouts of yore. Then 'Promised Land' provides a gradual uplift, riffing around and about a lolling bass, as said guitars increase in intensity; this is then followed by 'Sunday Soul', which seizes upon the day of rest with a continued drive (of course, in today's world, no day is safe). Finally, 'Within Myself' ends things on a note of introspection, crafting an internal dialogue of cloudy synth fuggings set against a dust-cloud of instrumentation.

Review: Following the success of their debut album On The Inside, UK hip-hop, soul and r&b collective Gotts Street Park are back with their highly anticipated new EP which features a series of instrumental tracks born from the raw, live chemistry of the band. Made using techniques inspired by Miles Davis's Bitches Brew and with no lyrics, the music draws on psychedelic influences and hip-hop instrumentals so tracks like 'Diego' blend funky grooves and snaking guitar riffs, while 'Ozu' evokes the peaceful, voyeuristic feel of director Yasujir? Ozu's films. The EP ends with 'Enzo's Theme' which is nicely inspired by The Godfather.

Review: The superb Star Creature label has always been a treasure trove of disco brilliance whether old, new or reissued. This one very much falls into the latter category and finds Jimmie Green's magic 1980 tune 'Dance' reappearing on 45rpm. It's a seductive and funky number with warped and slinky bass, lush hand claps and big horns. Little is known about the mysterious man behind it but suffice it to say he sure has some vocal skills. On the flip side tune 'Let Yourself Go' they take a more slow and sensuous approach over languid grooves and deep rhythms topped with great Rhodes.

Review: Longtime fans of Vive La Musique's impressive ability to both catalog old and release new music will find much to love in this one. Here they home in on South African composer and bass player Sipho Gumede's 'Something to Say', a stunning six-tracker flaunting the musician's distinctive blend of Afro-boogie with an 80s-style montage feel. Warm, inviting and dreamy, tracks like 'Bayabizana' and 'Something To Say' are sexual and freeing dirges, as suitable for long-haul flights and penthouse cocktails as they are for shouting about new love from the rooftops.

Review: Mother Tongue sure knows how to serve up some beautifully escapist and Balearic sounds and that's exactly what we have here with this seductive new 12" from Tiombe Lockhart feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow. This welcome return to the label from Lockhart comes as a teaser ahead of her new album Going Forth By Day. On this evidence, it's going to be a real doozy because 'An Osirian Dream' is utterly angelic. The vocals soar to the heavens next to celestial melodies over a gentle rhythm. Also included a beatless version and a couple of T's takes which get more jazzy.

Review: Rahaan is an absolute don when it comes to disco done right and with genuine soul. He's been rolling it out in original and edit form for many years and none of it ever goes out of date. Here he presents Gregory Carmouche & Cherelle Cherisoul Sullivan on the second release on the Yellow Taxi label. 'It Is What It Is' is a lovely loose jam with noodling chord work, rolling drums and magnificent vocals that bring plenty of sunshine next to playful whistles. Those vocals are more centred on the B-side opener while an instrumental remixes peels them away entirely.