Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Teddy Powell and Zee Desmondes are The Jack Moves, a contemporary disco and hip hop outfit who here link with unknown newbies The People Of Newark and Larry Hamm for this tidy new 7" on Star Creature. 'Horror Games' has a squelchy synth bass line that carries the loose drum work and bustling methane of background vocals and found sounds. A lead singer takes charge up top as various chatting crowds play out in the background. It's a busy tune that also comes as an instrumental for those who prefer the focus to be on the well crafted drums and bass.

Review: Italy's Tesla Groove serves up some more of is supercharged soul sounds on this super limited new 7". Opener 'The Jungle' is a deep cut soul tune that is all the better for the gravelly tones of vocalist Gene Jackson. His voice speaks of a man who has really lived his life, and as such he manages to convey a world of emotion in amongst some lo-fi old school soul rhythms and whirring organ chords. On the flip side is 'I Can't Ignore It' which is even more heartbroken, with heavy, nagging drums and sombre trumpets adding weight to Jackson's already forlorn delivery.

Review: It's a busy time for Athens of the North - to be fair when isn't it - as the Edinburgh label drops a couple of real gems this month. Marion Javius's 'Waiting In The Wings' originally dropped in 1978 and the head of this label loved the track but for a couple of aspects to it. Years later, he discovered that a friend of the label David Haffner "had been sitting on the multi-track tapes for some time and was cool with us doing a 45." So here we have the original on the B-side, and the slightly tweaked and edited new East Cost Love Affair version on the a-side. It's a great touch-up job if you ask us.

Review: Athens of the North is continually one of our favourite labels here at Juno HQ. The Edinburgh based outlet's tireless mission to unearth forgotten gems or shine a light on deserving tracks that may have been overlooked cannot be faulted. This time out Christopher Jay's 'What Do You want Me To Do' from 1987 gets served up on its own 45rpm. It is a glorious bit of disco boogie with a rugged broken beat, funk in the bass and soul in the buttery vocal. On the flip is a subtle edit that hits just as sweet a spot and it comes with a nice picture sleeve, too.

Review: The latest 45 from Durand Jones & The Indications, out on Colemine Records, brings together two tracks from their previous LP, Private Space. Now lovingly refitted for 7" play as only the best cinematic soul should, the A-side of this record contains the album's title track. It comes in the form of a laid back, string-strung, smoothened progression, on which guitarist Blake Rhein plays minimal but on-the-money strokes, and the ever falsetto'ing Durand Jones sings creatively of and in tribute to the many cordoned-off corners, hiding places and hind spaces of the world; the essential vectors of lovemaking. The flip shakes up the ambiance to a higher set of stakes, deploying an upper-tempo, flunkie disco-funk, to hearsaid but hopeful talk of seas of love.

Review: Colemine Records very much transports us back to another time with this latest lovely offering. It is a deep dive into the work of sophisticated lounge-pop as might be played during dinner at a trendy society ball back in the 60s. It comes from Durand Jones and The Indications and one track off they third album Too Many Tears. It's is one of heartbreak and is lit up by the gorgeous falsetto of Aaron Frazrs on the A-side, who tells s tale of betrayal. On the flip is a sweet soul sound soaked up by new school fans with an alternative indie an experimental sound from Y La Bomba led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Luz Elena Mendoza.

Review: Featuring two tracks that from Durand Jones & The Indications' third LP, this new 45 is a honeyed slice of retro-soul with pop leanings, as the band continues to mine the '60s and '70s for inspiration. Front to back, the record retains a healthy balance between the invention of new sounds and the sticking to strengths. The A-side 'Ride Or Die' casts the spotlight squarely on drummer Aaron Frazer, who also just so happens to have one of Earth's silkiest falsettos, while Jones' vocals lead the way through the sultry 'More Than Ever’.

Review: Presenting two previously unreleased tracks from the late Queen of modern soul, Sharon Jones, and her Dap-Kings. 'Don't Wanna Lose You,' penned by sax stalwart Neal Sugarman, exudes soul sophistication with its infectious groove and vibe. Sharon's powerful vocals soar over the track, showcasing her unparalleled talent. On 'Don't Give a Friend a Number,' the mood shifts to a haunting, r&b-infused atmosphere. Sharon delivers a commanding performance as she confronts an unfaithful lover, with eerie background vocals adding depth to the track.

Review: Joyce Moreno, a legendary Rio-born artist, is celebrated for her exceptional voice, musicianship, and songwriting. With over 30 albums in a career spanning more than 50 years, she continues to enchant audiences worldwide. Her iconic track 'Aldeia de Ogum,' known for its vibrant jazzy arrangement and rich samba rhythms, became a staple in London's Acid Jazz scene, championed by DJs Patrick Forge and Gilles Peterson. Originally featured on her 1980 LP Feminina and our 1997 Essential Joyce compilation, this beloved song first appeared on 7" through the Brazil 45 series. Rosinha de Valenca, another Rio native, was a revered composer, arranger, and guitarist who collaborated with giants like Baden Powell and Sergio Mendes. Her instrumental rendition of Gershwin's 'Summertime,' from her 1975 LP Um Violao Em Primeiro Plano, shows off her exquisite guitar skills accompanied by lush strings, delivering an emotionally stirring performance. A lot of great history on one 7".

Review: Brooklyn-based psychedelic soul group Say She She have exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and multiple TV performances, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Organic and authentic are two words that fit the classically trained troupe to a tea and, in the great soul tradition, covers are a necessity. Jim Spencer's 1979 track 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' didn't get much attention at the time - his attempt at doing disco wasn't well received - but thanks to the adoration of archive label The Numero Group, the song has seen a resurgence in covers and fans. The original vocal is expressive and powerful against some jangly funk guitars, whilst Say She She's rendition hones in on the sultry aspect of the track. Guitars are muted down to transform the song into a lovemaking slow jam, wind passages are introduced and the vocal is subtly powerful and sexy. This single has both Say She She's cover - as well as the original - on a 7" disc.

Review: Between the mid 1970s and the late 1980s, Cameroonian duo J.M Tim and Foty recorded a string of killer Afro-funk albums. This superb compilation from Africa Seven shines a light on the best of the duo's early work, with each of the ten tracks recorded between 1977 and '79. There's much to set the pulse racing throughout, from the crunchy Clavinets, punchy horns and heavy grooves of opener "Douala By Night" and the rubbery disco-funk of "More and More", to the swirling, celebratory vocals, sun-kissed guitars and dazzling analogue synth solos of "Ale". Elsewhere, check the Bee Gees-in-Cameroon flex of "Funky Boogie Love" and "I Love Youande", a breezy affair with a touch of country-funk swing and an a sublime bass guitar riff.