Back in stock: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Soul fans are in heaven this month, just from the releases of Soul Direction alone. The label has been hard at work serving up plenty of golden nuggets and next in the spotlight is Joe Adams. 'That's Not Half Bad' is his stunning version of the Gene Woodbury classic. This is another lost tune that was found on a DAT tape recording made from material that was laying around in an old basement. It comes steeped in rich Philly soul and with gorgeous vocals that for us outshine the original. On the flip, it is backed with an equally sublime mid-tempo heart-wrencher for those tender moments.

Review: Hot Casa France reissue a sultry drum workout from master Turkish darbouka player Yasar Akpence's 2004 album 'Passion Percussion'. 'Desert wind' layers unbelievably tight darbouka trills and phrases over a pulsing, almost dembow-esque core, making for a perfect Balearic DJ tool for any occasion. We can imagine this one bookending hypnotic techno wormholes in a small hours Donato Dozzy set, with its wide stereo drum intrusions and tight production longing to be aired off a suitably weighty soundsystem. Truly chameleonic and compelling music!

Review: After the success of the first Alessandroni Proibito box set, which sold out in pre-sale before it even hit the stores, Four Flies is proudly back with Volume 2 of the compilation. This new release too features five exclusive 7" singles, housing a total of ten seriously rare tunes. All previously unreleased in physical format, the tracks have been carefully selected from the soundtracks of five obscure Italian films from the late 70s - sexy flicks that flirted with the line between erotic and explicit, and which are now largely forgotten, having been out of circulation for decades. As was the case with the previous volume of the compilation, Alessandroni's music rises above the films' flimsy plots, improvised actors, and amateurish production, exuding his distinctive touch thanks to the (typically Italian) artisanal approach he took to his musical craft. The composer let his creativity run free, playing with his instruments at home as if he were in his own little amusement park; trying to have fun and produce something entertaining and captivating with just the few means at his disposal.

Review: Jalapeno Records is one of UK's funkiest dance labels and is has been for ages. Bristol beatmakers The Allergies are just as funky and always serve up a massive dose of sunshine on their Latin flecked sounds. The opener here is 'Move On Baby' and is one of the best tunes the pair have ever laid down. Its packed with great samples, a high speed 60s spy theme rhythm and vintage rhythm 'n' blues vocals over energetic drum breaks. It is a textbook offering form this duo with all the big hooks and horns you need to carry you to the next level. B-side banger 'Are You Ready' is a stomping soul sessions with huge vocal work from Miss Marietta Smith.

Review: With both tracks now coming out for the first time on 7" vinyl, the 'Liquid Love' and 'What's The T?' 7" single is a must get for all Roy Ayers fans and serious music collectors, not least as 2023 witnesses Roy's final ever tour of live dates. This release is a fitting tribute to the career of one of the most influential musicians in global Black music history and each track represents his virtuosity as a vibesman and his versatility across genres. 'Liquid Love' is taken from the 2015 BBE released album of Roy's unreleased material, Virgin Ubiquity II and is a wicked mid-tempo track where Roy's vibraphone complements an amazing female vocal arrangement to create harmonies and melody over a tough-as-you-like breakbeat, bassline and keyboard riff.

Review: A tale of two sides, Azimuth's classic "Manha" should be recognisable to many; taken from their self-titled LP in 1975, its golden harmonies and lavish, lolloping Bob James style jazz are as timeless as they were 40 years ago. Flip for "America Latina". Conjured by prolific collaborator Osmar Milito (whose discography features the likes of Sammy Davis Jr, Spanky Wilson and Liza Minelli), its striking, sing-along charms are no accident... It was actually created for 70s Brazilian soap opera Selva De Pedra.

Review: Back Pluwatsch, or simply Bajka, is an Indian-born, South-African raised singer with diverse catalogue of music, and an equally compelling set of vocal chords. Her voice was first picked up by London's Jazzman circa 2005, and has travelled across other like like Ubiquity, Raw Tapes, and even on NYC house-techno conglomerate, Ibadan. Philophon feels like a much more natural place for her music to prosper on, a label that's been on our radar since day one, and always comes heavily recommended. "The World" is a true pearl of a song, charged and catapulted into the ether by a deep, raw percussive sway and, of course, Bajka's singular voice. "Invisible Joy" is a similarly deep and tropical, but here the tone is much more jazzy, reminding us of Sun Ra in places. All in all, this is some pretty killer material.

Review: 'Hard Times' is a mega rare outing from Chequers which they dropped back in 1983 at the height of popularity for this sport of sound. It's irresistible electro-boogie that will get you in a spin in no time. The squelchy bass, r&b vocals and withering sci-fi disco synths all bring real colour. Flip it over and you will find the equally stellar 'If You Want My Love'. This is the first time this one has ever been reissued by its Freestyle label. Don't sleep on this surefire party starter and underground classic.

Review: In the early '70s, Cymande made a trio of killer albums that remain stone cold classics to this day. For this reissue 7", Mr Bongo has dipped into two of those albums - 1973's Second Time Around and 74's Promised Heights - and dug out two of the best-loved, most-sampled cuts. On the A you'll find "Fug", a low-slung, bassline-driven party full of killer drum breaks, righteous horn solos and, and conscious lyrics that call for global action against inequality (little, it seems, has changed politically since). It's one of those you should really own, as is the ever more familiar flipside "Brothers On The Slide", which boasts one of the most recognizable grooves in the history of dance music.

Review: Only a week after his last outing on this label, DJ DSK is making another return with more of his masterful edits. Volume 6 finds him open up with 'Remind Me,' which is a soulful and jazzy jam, with tumbling drums and nice wet claps. The vocal is the real winner, though, as it tugs at those heart strings. Flip it over and you'll find the much bigger anymore bumping 'Knee Deep' which has myriad recognisable samples all reworked into a party ready hip hop funk joint for the b-boys and girls out there.

Review: Dresden label Cold Diggin has been a consistent outlet for the work of The Duke Ya Love To Hate, which is one of several different aliases that Stefan Senf choses to work under. Usually they serve up just one of his special 7" outings per year but in 2023 two are arriving in December. This one comes on a hand-numbered 7" in screen-printed sleeve and is limited to just 150 copies. A-side jam 'Cold Wire' is a lively mix of breaks, jazzy chord stabs and plunging bass, then 'Cold Strut' slows things down and builds on a familiar funk break and top line melody in alluring new ways.

Review: The fourth EP from Florence on their own Florence label is simply entitled 'Funk.' And that is what we get in two different variations on this limited 45rpm' There is an old swing feel to the opener which has vocals that Elvis would be proud of. 'Bossa Nova Baby' is lovely and hard-hitting with hand claps and steel drums adding fuel. On the backside is 'I Got You' which is a more sweet soul sound driven by funky brass and prickly bass motifs. Two golden oldies for sure.

Review: Croatian producer Funky Destination is back with an irresistible funk bomb here in the form of this new 45rpm on Sound Exhibitions out of Italy. It comes on limited edition red vinyl and opens up with 'I Wanna Love Ya' which is one of his signature grooves completes with snappy hits and jangling guitar lines. It's a loopy affair that bursts to life with the arrival of some big trumpets and has a throwback turn of the millennium feel. 70s Lonely Hustler' is the flipside jam and is a more organic and loose rhythm peppered with Latin energy, bird calls, tambourines and much more.

Review: Back in the 80s, Weldon Johnathan Irvine was a core part of the sul, jazz and funk scene. He was an amiable man who put out plenty of records that reflected that and now some of them are making their way onto 45rpm for the first time ever. This latest 7" opens with 'Fat Mouth' which is a busy and dynamic cut with mad keys work, crashing drums and a real sense of urgency as it hurries along. There is a more reflective and thoughtful mood to the gorgeous flip side, which encourages the mind to wander on the heart chords and breezy grooves.

Review: Thomas Blanchot has been casting a spell with his sun-soaked reggae renditions as Mato for a long time now. He's back on his regular stomping ground of Stix with a beautiful version of Roy Ayers' evergreen 'What You Won't Do For Love', with Ethel Lindsey taking on the role as singer to complement Blanchot's sweet and easy riddim. It's a tune primed to greet the warmer weather, staying faithful to the original while giving it a fresh spin. As well as the full vocal version on the A-side, we know full well you're going to love flipping it over for the consummate dub version on the B-side.

Review: Samba flavours do not come more authentic than this. The sixth in Mr Bongo's Brazil 45 series, here they unearth two foundation pieces from Rio collective Os Origianais Do Samba. Forming in 60s Rio, they're still highly active today and have a discography peppered with Brazilian gold. This 45 does well to showcase their breadth... "La Vem Salgueiro" is quintessential samba. Heavy rhythm, punctuated vocals and a dynamic that leaps from bold and delicate in a flash, it charms you instantly. "Tenha Fe" has a softer soul as it strums and sways and more of a folky sensation, tight harmonies and alluring naked instrumentation.

Review: Placebo are a legendary Belgian jazz funk band led by Marc Moulin, 1971 to 1976.AP-VINE have released some of their titles as reissue CD's & LPs before but this time we present their finest tracks from their 3 stadio albums as limited pressing 7 inch singles with new remastering!

Review: We really have a soft spot for the Four Flies late out of Italy. Their mix of world, Latin, library, jazz and plenty of other cultured in-between sounds always brings a smile to our face and dancers to our dance floors. This new 7" takes the form of a second single to be taken from Psyche's (aka Naples collective Marcello Giannini, Andrea De Fazio and Paolo Petrella) debut long player which is due in May. It's a compelling cut that offers a rich exploration of rhythm and the movements of an imaginary ritual dance. Synths and drums, guitar and bass and percussion all interplay delightfully.

Review: More gold from the always in the know and on point 5 Boroughs label. Again here it digs into the vast annals of hip-hop history to come up with some still relevant gems in the form of Rakim and DJ Premier's staple 'It's Been a Long Time.' It is a classic boom-bap joint with lush strings and horns, some old-school scratching and cool bars. As walls, the label serves it up alongside the original sample source on the flip which is Cecil Holmes's languid soul slow burner 'Call Me, Come Back Home'. These plays shift in quick time so do not snooze if you want a slice.

Review: Karma Chief is a sub-label of the excellent Colemine and here they welcome back Trans-Atlantic trio Say She She. The group is made up of Londoner Piya Malik, New Yorker Sabrina Mileo Cunningham and DC native Nya Gazelle Brown and this is their third single from their debut album Prism. Once again it deals in loose-limbed funk grooves and crystal clear vocal top lines with plenty of talented soul musicians also involved. Members from the Daptone label have helped to produce this one which pairs a 1970s early soul vibe with fresh modern production.

Review: Athens of the North has got some fantastic and previously unreleased lo-fi goodness on their hands here. It comes from Lee Tracy and Isaac Manning's back catalogue and has been boosted subtly by some studio drumming from ECLA which adds a little more heft to it. 'Foxy Lady' is a lithe funk jam with shimmering synths and snappy snares over nice broken beats. It is backed with 'Jesus Going To Clean House' which is a standout cut from the album that has got many heads falling over themselves so good is it. The vamping chords and dusty deep house drums could all be a forgotten Chicago classic while the vocal is a real one packed with emotion.

Review: Four Flies present another masterpiece from one of the all-time greats of Italian soundtrack and library music, Piero Umiliani. His work on the 1974 film Il Corpo ranks amongst his most famous work, and now two pieces have been selected from the soundtrack and presented on this exclusive single. 'Chaser' on the A side appears in an exclusive extended form which has never been released before, while 'Hard Times' on the flip remains the archetype of Italian jazz-funk perfection. This is a limited edition so don't hang around as these are sure to fly out.