Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: The collaboration between Chihei Hatakeyama and Shun Ishiwaka on their latest ambient release represents a convergence of diverse musical backgrounds. With over 70 albums under his belt since his debut in 2006, Hatakeyama brings a wealth of experience in ambient and experimental music, while Ishiwaka, known for his prolificacy in modern jazz, adds a dynamic rhythmic dimension. Their encounter, sparked by a radio appearance and cemented through live gigs, led to the creation of this two-volume epic recorded in March 2023. Drawing inspiration from a spectrum of genres including ambient, experimental, jazz and metal, the duo's sonic exploration is enriched by references ranging from My Bloody Valentine to Alice Coltrane. The album reflects their shared love for free jazz and spiritual jazz, evoking the improvisational spirit of Sun Ra and Coltrane's later works. Guided by psycho-acoustic considerations and embracing spontaneity, the musicians engage in a dialogue of sound where responses unfold in the heat of the moment. The result is a remarkable project brimming with creativity and mutual understanding.

Review: Saib.'s debut album, Around The World, stunned listeners who got to hear this album on the first release back in 2019. Now reissued, the various global sounds, reflecting the cultural melting pot of Casablanca is once again, the talk of reissues. With intricate guitar work and hip-hop beats as its backbone, the album seamlessly transitions between jazz, lounge, Asian textures, and more. Each track is a unique exploration of saib.'s influences, showcasing his versatility and musical talent. From the upbeat funk of 'Casablanca Funk' to the serene beauty of 'Lullaby,' and the exotic allure of 'Shanghai Nights,' every moment is riveting. Remastered for enhanced quality, Around The World is a memorable trip into the sounds of a foreign country and its culture.

Review: Originally released in 2005, Space Shift marked the innovative debut from UK-born, Australia-based artist Steve Spacek. Known for his fusion of soul, electronic, and broken beat, Steve Spacek created a forward-thinking blend of sound with this album. His smooth vocals glide effortlessly over experimental production, weaving through bass-heavy rhythms and glitchy textures. Tracks like 'Dollar', produced by the legendary J Dilla, critiques materialism with a hypnotic groove and is a reimagining of Billy Paul's classic. The collaboration with Dilla showcases Spacek's creative synergy with one of hip-hop's most iconic producers. Other gems like 'Thursday' and 'The Hills' bring lush, atmospheric soundscape that rival some of the best in the genre that year. Now reissued by Spa Recordings, Space Shift includes an unreleased collaboration with J Dilla, 'This One Feels Alright', this re-release reaffirming the album's impact and lasting influence on modern electronic soul.

Review: An integral figure on the Motor City scene for the best part of two decades, Specter has always been a particularly prolific producer. Built To Last - appearing on Theo Parrish's significant Sound Signature label - is his first album-length excursion. It offers an expansive summary of his inspirations and influences - many will notice subtle nods towards local deep house, techno and electro heroes, as well as more experimental synthesizer music, off-kilter electronic jazz-funk, deep space dub and eyeliner-clad early '80s synth-wave - while also showcasing a trademark sound that's every bit as dusty, warm, loose and lo-fi as his lauded Detroit peers.

Review: French producer St Germain laid down a pretty untouchable deep house blueprint with his debut album Boulevard, then managed to go one better with Tourist a couple of years later. It had even more instrumental magic and jazz class to it, over the deep, driving yet cuddly house beats with plenty of spoken word tributes to house legends, hummable top lines and iconic flutes that have endured for more than 20 years since its release. The whole thing has been remastered and now arrives on translucent orange vinyl. A true classic that will never go out of fashion and works both at home and in the club equally well.