Colemine US Vinilo y CD

Review: Harlem-raised Gloria Barnes got her big break after a couple of her early recordings became big hits on the UK Northern Soul scene. Her sole album, 1971's Uptown, has long been an in-demand item amongst collectors, regularly fetching four-figure sums when copies do occasionally change hands. Here the album gets reissued for the first time, allowing those without money to burn to enjoy its rich and evocative mix of Northern style dancefloor stompers, heart aching torch songs and downtempo soul shufflers. The quality of Barnes' vocals naturally impresses throughout, but the musical backing - provided at different points by the Hustlers, the Disciples and Ohio Players - is every bit as beguiling.

Review: KC

Review: Black Market Brass are back on Colemine with a third full length that once again finds them offering up an all new take on Afrobeat that mixes the traditional sounds of the genre with heavy, hypnotic and sci-fi influences. Saxophonist Cole Pulice has said of the record: "We didn't leave the traditional Afro-beat sound behind, but we did allow ourselves to pull from different places with less hesitation." The nine piece album was recorded live to tap which lends it a lived-in feel and mixes organic instrumentation with heavily processed synthesizers, harsh glitches, fuzzed out guitars and raw percussion. It is a truly arresting and infectious listen.

Review: The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio are masters of the lost art of music that really makes you feel good without being cheap or cheesy. Making their sound so good is a careful mix of 60s organ jazz a la Jimmy Smith, some soulful strutting that Booker T would be proud of and plenty of sprinkles of Motion or Stax magic. The band is lead by Delvon Lamarr, a self-taught virtuosic musician who light sup each and every track, much like the warm, whirring organs that bring the funk. Expert drums and conversational playing styles all help make this one a real stand out.

Review: We're not sure of the back-story of Devlon Lamarr's eponymous trio, but this debut album for Colemine is an absolute killer. Lamarr is a virtuoso organist, and it's jammed-out Hammond organ and electric piano solos that naturally take centre stage throughout. That said, both drummer David McGraw and guitarist Jimmy James play their part throughout, with the former's ambidextrous fills and the latter's raw licks also catching the ear throughout. Musically, the tracks range from Meters-style heavy funk and lounge soul workouts to a range of cuts more heavily influenced by the blues of John Lee Hooker and the similarly instrumental brilliance of Booker T and the MGs.

Review: If you're the fan of the kind of organ-heavy funk made famous by the likes of Jimmy Smith and the Meters, we'd recommend this superb set from Seattle threesome Devon Lamarr Organ Trio. The outfit's third studio album in total (the first landed in 2015), Cold as Weiss naturally acts as a showcase for the virtuoso Hammond B3 playing of Delvon Lamarr, with the talented organist blessing each track with fluid, energetic solos and catchy riffs. His companions Jimmy James (guitar) and Daniel Weiss (drums) provide superb support; throw warming, weighty bass into the mix and you have an inspired collection of deep funk, soul-jazz, jazz-funk and blues instrumentals mostly made with dancefloors in mind.

Review: 'Dojo Cuts: Pieces' is a retrospective of the Australian funk and soul band's best works, harking all the way back to the six-piece's formation in 2009. Emphasising confidence, rhythmic tightness and unisons above all else, there are selections here ranging from their powerful debut album 'Take From Me' to their latest project 'Rome'. This is a project that flaunts what the band do best; expand outwards from the can't-go-wrong Atlantic/Stax Records template into something greater, not to mention adding a contemporary production sheen.

Review: Last year, NYC based revivalist "gospel quartet" group the Harlem Gospel Travelers finally made their vinyl debut album after five years wowing audiences on the live circuit. 12 months later, they're finally ready to release their first full-length excursion. A nostalgic trip through 1950s and 1960s style gospel-based rhythms and blues, soul, funk and doo-wop, the album's greatest strength - aside from the authenticity of the music and production of course - is the group's incredible vocals. Brilliantly arranged harmonies play a big part, though the lead vocals (shared between all four members) are little less than stunning.

Review: It is always a highly anticipated event when Ikebe Shakedown drop new music and that is the case here once more. First up they tackle a legendary Ennio Morricone track as the A-side. Their take on 'Adonai' retains all the Western soundtrack charm of the original but with added horns, plenty of filthy but funky guitar riffs and a driving rhythm section sure to make its mark on the club. 'Waiting For The Storm' is a brand new cut that slows things down on the flip with jumbled drums and loose claps making for a more sensuous sound.

Review: Authentic soul business from Bloomington newbies The Indications brought to you by the good people at Colemine Records. Teaming up with Durand Jones for the A-side, "Smile" is a powerful preachy cut that digs deep into the classic funk mentality while sitting neatly upside the grills of Aloe Blacc or Gnarls Barkley. "Tuck N Roll", meanwhile, is a Meters-level slice of smouldering instrumental funk with big cymbal splashes and a blissful balance of Rhodes and guitar. Spotless.

Review: Jungle Fire are an LA-based megagroup mainly dealing in a modern take on Afro/Latin funk, working in every instrument from electric guitar to djembe to a full colliery section. Flat-caps, shades and trilbies aplenty, their latest album Jungle Fire established a self-starting genre they dubbed 'TropiFunk', a boxy and lo-fi funk sound informed by the haunted fuzz of lost tape music. Now Colemine deliver a new 7" study on their two best tunes, 'Slipshot' and 'Pico Union'.

Review: Karate Boogaloo's latest album, Hold Your Horses, offers a captivating collection of original instrumental tunes from Melbourne, Australia's vibrant soul scene. The album's lead single 'One Hand One Bounce' sets the tone with its spacious and introspective vibe, all moody dynamics that draw the listener in. Drawing from influences like Booker T & The MG's and The Meters, Karate Boogaloo infuse their music with a blend of cinematic tension, whimsical melodies, and eerie discordance, all underpinned by heavy funk grooves. The band's chemistry, developed over 15+ years of friendship and musical collaboration, shines through each track, creating a cohesive, immersive listening experience. Recorded live with no overdubs, Hold Your Horses captures the raw energy and spontaneity of Karate Boogaloo's performances. The instrumental palete, limited to drums, guitar, bass and organ, establishes a consistent tone while allowing for neat shifts and nuanced execution.

Review: Here's a sweet slice of soul on Colemine from Dewey Kenmore - a new talent who strikes a chord on this sterling debut. 'Before We Say Goodbye' taps into a distinctly Curtis Mayfield-informed sound, all cool organ, pattering bongo and a subtly heavy-hearted mood. In terms of production, it's got warmth for days, and Kenmore's voice has just the right amount of cracks around the edges to get across the pain in the lyrics. Given the supreme quality of the backing track, it's no bad thing to have the instrumental on the flip of this 7" too.

Review: Los Sospechos first dropped 'Jano's Revenge' on Colemine back in 2010, and it's since gone on to become a stone-cold classic of heavy funk played by the most discerning DJs. Now it's finally getting a limited repress on green marbled vinyl, giving you a fresh opportunity to savour the sweet, soulful sound and share it with the world. There's a timeless quality to this instrumental and its spiritual cousin 'Mirror Door' on the flip, where the brass section takes the leads and hammers out hooks to sink your teeth into.

Review: As if their recent album Beyond The Sun wasn't quite enough new material this year, Orgone return with two more brand new jams on this 7" for Colemine. "Strike" is a firing, sweaty Union cover that's focused on nothing but an unashamed party. "New You" is a softer, more sensual boogie number that oozes soaking wet guitar licks and honey-coated vocals throughout. Powerful contemporary funk from one of the most successful and prolific troupes in existence.

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: Fresh from the instrumentals wing of contemporary r&b and funk label Colemine comes the new one from Tee See Connection, 'Skyline Chili Churner'. This 7" single procures two formerly-thought-lost recordings made at the basement of the Regent Drives studio in Middletown, Ohio by the band, who consist of Rob Houk on drums, Matt Amburgy on keys and Terry Cole on bass. Seemingly crafted for the express purpose of hip-hop sampling in mind, both tracks are out-and-out funkers, with the B-side's 'Queen City' going for a straight-up, kick-backed 80ish BPM, and the A's titular number laying down an interesting organic funk groove that perhaps only the more seasoned of samplers would have the guts to sift.

Review: Previously a Record Store Day special, Colemine elevate this epic 45" compendium to permanent status. 22 tracks heavy, the double 12" whammy unites some of Colemine's finest curations over the years into one perfect collection. From the rare shimmering guitars and woozy horns of The Rugged Nuggets to Colemine debuts such as the sweaty afrofunk boogaloo fusion of Ikebe Shakedown's 2009 breakthrough "Hard Stepping" and the garage funk fizz of Alan Evans Trio's 2012 "Drop Hop" via the beautiful "Smile" from Duran Jones & The Indications' debut album last year, no other album represents the breadth, warmth and vitality of Colemine quite as succinctly as this collection. Slab it up.

Review: It wasn't long ago The Winston Brothers dropped their debut 45 on Colemine, and the German funk crew are back already with their debut LP, DRIFT. The band's sound is sharp and stylish, tapping into the classic foundations of funk while keeping things more explicitly tilted towards the modern deep funk sound you'll find lurking around labels like Colemine. The vibe is versatile, with slower ballad joints rubbing shoulders with hot and steamy beatdowns, each ingredient in the stew bubbling long and hard for maximum flavour. With production credits linking the group to the likes of The Mighty Mocambos and Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, you know these cats are serious about bringing you the finest funk known to all humanity.