Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's funk/Afro classic, Soul Makossa from 1973. Originally known as the Bobby Boyd Congress, the seven-member Afro-American ensemble relocated from the U.S. to France in 1971. After lead singer Bobby Boyd returned to the US, the group rebranded as Ice and collaborated with producer Pierre Jaubert, whose credits included work with Charles Mingus and John Lee Hooker. Inspired by Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated daily rehearsals, leading to the band's unique sound. Immersed in Paris's African-dominated Barbesse district and frequently performing with Cameroonian composer Manu Dibango, the group evolved into Lafayette Afro Rock Band, embracing a heavier, more intricate Afro-funk style. Their debut album, Soul Makossa, featured a dynamic rendition of Dibango's classic, alongside the intense break of 'Hihache' and the infectious 'Nicky.' This meticulously crafted remaster by The Carvery from the original tapes includes the full original artwork, celebrating an iconic album's legacy.

Review: This is a special sampler 12" taken from the Various Artists compilation Defend Your Planet that Avoidant Records put out. It features a heavyweight crew of electro mainstays, first of which are The Advent & Zein Ferreira. Their 'Defend Your Plane' is a turbo powered cosmic assault with skewed synths and high speed drums. Assembler Code's 'Line Of Sight' doesn't let up, powering on through sheet metal snares and juddering drum programming and then man like Carl Finlow layers in prickly melodies, dark sci-fi energy and booming bass. Analogue master Versalife shits things down with the shadowy 'SH09.'