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Review: Gerardo Frisina, the Italian musician and producer renowned for his expertise in Latin jazz, delivers a captivating experience with Mystical Funk on Schema records. Side-1 presents 'Mystical Funk,' a mesmerizing blend of tribal drums, smooth funk grooves, and island vibes that transport listeners to exotic landscapes. On Side-2, 'Spaced Out' takes a more urban direction, featuring an infectious hip-hop/funk beat infused with sophisticated organ sounds and hints of jazz influences. Frisina's masterful production seamlessly merges diverse elements into cohesive compositions that exude elegance and groove.

Review: Dave Lee's "AC Soul Symphony" alias has been releasing delectable and sultry disco since 2005 but reached his magnus opus in 2023 with the release of the Metamorphosis LP. Here we find two tracks handpicked from the album and delivered, for the first time, in a 7" format. The single starts much as the album does with the track "Windy City Theme", beautifully scored, recorded, and produced legato strings envelope the track, punctuated with horns and vocals reminiscent of a Love Unlimited Orchestra production. This version of the track has been rearranged, speeding up the pacing of the track and reaching the juicy parts in a really satisfying way. On the flip side we have the title track from the album Metamorphosis, which is the first time the vocal version has been made available on vinyl. A bass laden intro gives ways to glistening pianos and those signature strings (have we mentioned how good the strings are?). A more laid back and seductive track than the A-side, but no less appealing. Again, due to the limitations of the 7" format, 'Metamorphosis' has been expertly rearranged with loving care and attention.

Review: SOLO 500 is back on their own self-titled label with the third entry in Galaxy Sound Company's series and again it digs deep into jazz-funk to turn out some killer breaks. Up first is the main theme from 1974's subway hijack movie The Taking Of The Pelham One Two Three and it is one with a funky, jazzy, high-octane sound that has been sampled by Company Flow, Mix Master Mike and many more. On the backside is an edit of a tune from Manfred Mann Chapter Three's self-titled 1969 LP. This one has been famously sampled by The Prodigy. Another great little 7".

Review: Say She She is the psychedelic soul group from Brooklyn that's exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and the pleasure of touring Europe and North America, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Authentic and organic 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 attempt at foraying into disco 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' wasn't received amazingly at the time, 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 zany and expressive 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 7" contains both Spencer's original track and the interpretation by the trio, pressed on white vinyl.

Review: X-Ray Ted's 'Talkin' EP' finally hits vinyl, a format perfectly suited for its timeless classic vibe. On the A-side, 'Talkin' weaves strings, horns, and guitar riffs over rolling beats and bass, topped with soulful vocals. On the flip, 'So Much' exudes infectious energy, blending vocal refrains, guitars, and horns for a soulful groove. These tracks offer a glimpse into X-Ray Ted's upcoming debut album, showcasing his talent for blending old-school sounds with a modern twist. Limited to a run of 7"s on Bombstrikes, these vinyl grooves exude sunshine vibes and feel-good warmth, destined to fly off shelves.

Review: This is the third installment in the Local Sugar Diggers Series from Scruniversal in which old and rare records from the label head's friend's collections get reworked and edited. This one is a collab between ScruScru and an equally passionate digger from Cyprus known as Dwaal. Both tunes offer quite different looks but with great results. The first is the steamy and loose-limbed 'Destination? Funk!' with its squelchy bass and neat guitar riffs, while the flipside is a super deep and lush downtempo jam, 'Camelot Chill'. This one has romantic sax notes and gentle grooves with jazzy keys finishing it in style.

Review: A year after dropping his acclaimed album 'Billy Valentine And The Universal Truth' with Flying Dutchman and Acid Jazz Records, Billy unveils a fresh take on a soul classic. Recorded at LA's prestigious Henson Recording Studio, alongside producer Bob Thiele Jr. and a stellar band including Larry Goldings, Pino Paladino, Jeff Parker, James Gadson, and John Philip Shenale, he introduces three new tracks. His rendition of Gil Scott-Heron's 'Lady Day & John Coltrane', debuted on Gilles Peterson's BBC6Music, mesmerising live audiences. This special edition 7" includes a unique edit of 'Home Is Where The Hatred Is', not previously available on vinyl.

Review: The Invitations have roots tracing back to the mid-60s and saw various lead singers take the mic until Lew Kirton joined in 1973. Kirton's vocals grace both 'Look On The Good Side' and 'They Say The Girl's Crazy' from 1974 which are now reissued for the first time. Originally released on Silver Blue Records, a label founded by songwriter and producer Joel Diamond, these tracks were arranged and co-produced by Bobby Martin in Philadelphia and boast the unmistakable Philly Sound. Kirton later departed for a successful solo career, notably remembered for hits like 'Heaven In The Afternoon' but this reissue brings forth a timeless slice of soul history.

Review: Nick and Astro, known collectively as Potatohead People, join forces once again on a tantalising teaser 7" from their upcoming album, Eat Your Heart Out'. Featured on 'Paradise' is the highly hyped Canadian artist Diamond Cafe, whose velvety vocals grace this early 80s-inspired blend of digital sex funk that will remind you of Sade, El Debarge, and Prefab Sprout. Describing his music as "bathing in a cloud of honey on a very foggy night," Diamond Cafe's performance is nothing short of magic here. On the flipside, Nick Wisdom puts his spin on the track, infusing it with dub elements and enhancing the bassline.

Review: Albertan experimenter Dylan Khotin follows up last year's full-length with an equally impressionistic two-tracker and logical successor, 'Alterac Acid/Mornings II'. Both tracks here are curious digi-Balearic offerings, with spacious episcopies of sound cast across meandering landscapes once seemingly trawled by space invaders and/or deep-cosmos probes. A nearly aimless acid line unfurls across the A-side, locking things into a nice stasis, before a more subdued, dare say clipped stab-womp drives the action of the B-track, which hardly so much as teases its drum line, nor avails itself of a need to even use drums at all (at points) to compel the listener into a driven, awestruck state of bliss.

Review: The blistering, one-of-a-kind West Coast disco-funk record 'U Need Me' by LA Propinquity surfaces as part of a new body of historic productions initially intended for compilation on a full-length LP. For reasons undisclosed, this never happened; instead, Italian sonic exhumers Cannonball Records have been afforded the privilege of reissuing these tracks across a series of 7"s themselves. Hardly and criminially under-recognised in their day, the L.A. Propinquity were nonetheless composed of the angelic city's finest, with drummer James Gadson forming a prominent part. A blast from the 1970s, 'U Need Me' is a beaming slice of unrequited longing, set to delicious funk tones that are as maximized as they are unstrained.

Review: The Cold Diggin label out of Dresden has long been serving up the work of The Duke Ya Love To Hate, which is one of myriad aliases of an artist who gets by the name of Stefan Senf. They are generally few and far between but are always worth copying when they do drop and this one comes on lovely hand-numbered 7" in a special screen-printed sleeve. 'Introducin' is a loose-limbed funk workout with classic hip-hop breaks and free-wheeling pads. 'Prescribin' is more slow and seductive with its florid melodic leads and lovely lazy beats.

Review: Nestor Alvarez's Midnight in Havana on Original Gravity delivers an electrifying Afro-Cuban instrumental jam that transports listeners to the vibrant streets of Havana. With a mesmerising flute lead and dynamic jam sessions, the track exudes a captivating energy that feels like a theme song for the city's bustling nightlife. The infusion of Cuban soul adds depth and authenticity to the music, immersing listeners in its rich cultural heritage. On the B-side, Alvarez offers a creative cover version of the Happy Mondays' 'Kinky Afro,' reimagined with a Cuban twist. The fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and the iconic melody of the original song results in a fresh and exciting interpretation that showcases Alvarez's versatility as a musician. Fans of Latin and Cuban dance music are sure to eat this up.

Review: Alongside the wicked new 7" 'Dues And Don'ts / Fraud Fades', Amsterdam producer Soul Supreme simultaneously drops another 45 - of no less import - this time enlisting the fiduciary flows of American producer and emcee Thes One. 'Taking The Stand' includes both the original vocal number and the instrumental on the flip side, with Thes One musing on life's (in)justices, trials and negotiations as Supreme the wunderkind himself segues through wildcard turntable scratches, knocky drum hits and blue-note piano hits.

Review: Thee Heart Tones, Big Crown Records' newest addition, showcase their youthful exuberance and musical prowess on their debut single. Recorded at Diamond West Studio with producers Leon Michels and Tommy Brenneck, the band delivers a captivating performance on both tracks. 'Forever & Ever' is an infectious, feelgood anthem with lead singer Jazmine Alvarado's captivating vocals soaring over the band's lively groove. The song's catchy chorus is bound to linger in listeners' minds long after the music stops. On the B-side, their rendition of the classic 'Sabor A Mi' demonstrates their versatility and skill, with Jazmine's vocals shining once again. Thee Heart Tones have made a promising entrance into the music scene, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating their forthcoming debut album.

Review: 'Practice What You Preach' is a standout track from the German funk band Poets Of Rhythm's debut record of the same name, first released on Soulciety in 1993. After a long hiatus on the albums front before a return to the limelight with a follow-up Ninja Tune LP in 2001, these guys nonetheless remained surely active on the 7"s circuit, which has sustained them since then. Little did we know or predict, however, that there existed a part two to the same track, which is essentially an instrumental version of the original 1993 track. On the B comes a fresh funker formerly released under the alias Mighty Continentals, with the band's Bo Baral laying down a rare solo guitar situation and singing about, well, god knows what.

Review: Pratt & Moody's latest single, 'Creeping Around,' delves into the depths of dark soul with haunting melodies. The duo, comprising Pratt and Moody, showcases their collective prowess in crafting a narrative of infidelity that transcends boundaries. Pratt's velvety vocals intertwine seamlessly with Moody's evocative guitar, creating a timeless soundscape dripping with raw emotion. Supported by the masterful artistry of Cold Diamond & Mink, 'Creeping Around' transports listeners to a realm of late-night introspection, evoking the atmospheric ambiance of a David Lynch film. With its haunting melodies and immersive instrumentation, this track captivates with its exploration of longing, desire, and the complexities of human emotion.

Review: Maya Blandy's latest single, Lemons, is a vibrant and infectious track that seamlessly blends upbeat urban funk with an acid jazz sound, resulting in a potential pop hit. The song takes a spin on the classic adage about making the best out of life's challenges, presenting it with a fresh and edgy perspective. With its catchy hooks, groovy rhythm, and Maya Blandy's convincing vocals, Lemons is destined to be an instant hit once heard.
The Side-2 is equally as good with 'BIB (Bitch In Black).' This song oozes with soulful vibes, showcasing Maya's mesmerizing vocals against an urban beat backdrop. The addition of a horn section adds depth and richness to the track, elevating its sonic experience.

Review: Natacha Fink's 'Pirarublue' delivers a sexy lounge vibe with hints of jazz rock, characterised by its catchy rhythms and melodies, while on the flip Nimalan Yoganathan presents 'Unseen Songlines,' an ambient piece rich in field recording atmosphere and experimental textures. With its unique sounding hord structures and ample use of echo, this track transports listeners on an introspective journey through soundscapes. Overall, the EP showcases the label's commitment to showcasing eclectic and boundary-pushing music from emerging artists.