Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Soul, disco, funk and boogie all combine to superb effect here on this new one from Savoir Faire on Miles Away. The A-side is a glorious two-stepper with Cassandra Wright's next-level vocals shining bright up top next to a deeper male vocal as the drums and funky bass unravel on 'Holding On.' Flip it over and the pace picks up but the soul remains high on 'You're The Best' which has a more yearning vibe and hip swinging claps next to lush strings and call and repose vocals over a squelchy boogie bassline. Super stuff.

Review: After a year of energizing live performances, Say She She releases their vibrant cover of the Jackson Sisters' classic 'I Believe In Miracles.' With Sergio Rios of Orgone behind the fresh, funky production, this track is irresistibly danceable. On Side-2, 'C'est Si Bon,' is a French discodelia anthem from their acclaimed sophomore LP Silver. It's a bi-lingual, joy-inducing track that compels listeners to dance. This 45 features two crowd-pleasing tracks that promise to ignite any dancefloor. With its infectious energy and stellar production, this record is bound to become a favorite for vinyl enthusiasts and partygoers.

Review: Say She She bring soulful magic to the holidays with two tracks that effortlessly combine tradition and originality. Their cover of Marvin Gaye's 'Purple Snowflakes' brims with soft, tumbling melodies and an understated psychedelic charm, while 'This Wintertime' radiates with the heartfelt warmth of their first original Christmas tune. Lush harmonies and thoughtful arrangements define both tracks, reminding us of music's power to connect and uplift. This festive 7" single captures the spirit of the season in Say She She's signature style.

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: Junior Scaife delivers two ensouled sides, produced and co-written by Penrose mainstay Anthony Masino. One of the most gifted vocalists in the soulscape of today, Scaife infuses every note with a shrill sprechgesang, a longing, heaving intonation heard between the runs. 'Nobody Gets My Love' is an ode to tensions of love and pride, wielding the late-60s Hestor and Wylie Detroit sound as a listless instrument for impudence. On the B, 'Too Much Too Soon', offers a slow-burning ballad laced with wah guitar and a comparatively elegance, marking a standout for the lowrider soul crowd.

Review: The Sextones are a four-piece soul band from Reno, Nevada, who blend elements of rock, pop, and funk with a deep and mournful soul primacy. Fitting squarely into that oeuvre is their latest 'Beck & Call', which recalls their dearest inspirations - the likes of The Moments, Baby Huey and Curtis Mayfield - for two equally powerful falsetto'ing slow jams. The title track is the more emotive standout, channelling a hefty drum forward plod, lilting strings, soul-foundational bass, and lyrics dealing with letting go of a lost cause. 'Daydreaming', meanwhile, is more of a haze, and notably utilises electronic drums and a prominent sitar.

Review: Two of Finnish label Timmons regulars in their house band Cold Diamond & Mink and heart-melting vocalist Emilia Sisco come together once more here following previous successes such as 2019's vital 7", 'Don't Believe You Like That'. The gorgeous 'Trouble' has wah-wah pedals and slow-turning rhythms imbued with lush soul from Sisco under laissez-faire horns. 'It'll Get Better' is more intimate with organ chords shimmering over a sentimental groove. These are two timeless jams that could be forgotten 60s classics as much as great new cuts.

Review: Spice does everything from buttery sweet soul to disco that makes you want to move. They are a firm favourite with those cultured crate diggers and their Let There Be Spice album is about as good as it gets. This fresh 7" from P-Vine features two of the standout tracks. First up is 'The Last Time' with some expertly penned choruses and a vocal turn that will have your mouth open in awe. Flip it over and the quality does not drop - "I'm So Glad To Say' is a high watermark for modern soul with staccato guitars over a persuasive bassline and gentle drums to make for a perfect captivating and mellow groove. A real must-own 45rpm.

Review: Colemine Records has devoted itself to releasing top notch soul music for close to 20 years now. Those who follow the label closely trust the purveyor of the label (Terry Cole) enough to blindly pick up each and almost every release. The label's knack for finding and sharing some of the best versions of soul music is clearly evident from the latest by a group called The Splendids. Originally recorded in 1961, these two songs were destined to launch this talented ensemble. Two things' happened in 1962 though. Beatles music made Doo-Wop almost irrelevant overnight. In addition, members of the group got called into Vietnam. 63 years later after originally forming, the surviving three of the five members recording once again. The result is phenomenal and makes us feel like we are back in the 1950s. Only 500 copies in total have been pressed.

Review: It will shock no one that this week along, Edinburgh based label Athens of the North has a wealth of great new music out. This 7" is another one from William Stuckey. The last one came last year but sadly, only after the man himself had passed away. But they follow it up with another gem that comes with the blessing of the man's family. 'Everything That's Good In Life' has never been released before but is as good as his material gets and is sure to become another classic. ON the reverse is an alternate 7" mix of 'Hold Me Close' that cuts deep.

Review: Miles Away Records are proud to introduce their latest single to land on the label: the cosmic soul gem 'Super Star' by Ruth Waters and the State Of Mind Show Band. Ruth 'Silky' Waters was best known for her two disco-infused albums Never Gonna Be The Same and Out In The Open, produced by the late, great John Davis. 'Super Star', however, was released on the tiny independent KMBA Recordings label in the late 1970s, and draws on the twin wells of modern soul and gospel, lending both a touch of cosmic goodness. On the flip, there's 'Super Star Pt.2', which plunges deeper into the cosmic essence of the track by way of both extended guitar and synth solos; both tracks are stupendios in their own rights, making this a hotly versatile release for a far-and-wide DJ demographic.