Review: Cordial have partnered with Afrodisia to reissue their sought-after album, 1980's Elephant Sunrise, in 2018, with an album of previously unreleased recordings to follow. To whet our appetite, they've decided to release the never-before-heard "Malik", a brilliant chunk of jazz-funk fusion that would have got jazz dancers hot under the collar had it appeared when it was originally recorded way back in 1982. On the B-side you'll find the similarly minded "A Fool No Longer", a dancefloor-focused chunk of blue-eyed soul that has previously only been available on obscure 1981 compilation album Rock Aus Der Alten Schule. Brilliant stuff all told.
Review: Expansion Records' continues to delve into the bulging archives of Roy Ayers' influential Uno Melodic Records imprint, which issued some superb jazz-funk, soul and boogie throughout the 1980s. Here they offer a new pressing of Ethel Beatty's sought-after, Roy Ayers' produced 1981 double A-side. For some reason they've reversed the running order, with side A offering original flipside 'It's Your Love', a Dee Dee Bridgwater co-authored slow jam that's soulful, seductive and sumptuous. Over on the reverse you'll find the more celebrated ''I Know You Care', a deep disco number full of glistening guitar riffs, smooth chords and warming grooves. In a word: luscious
Best Friend Around - "It's So Good To Know" (Muro Diguma edit) (4:36)
Foster Jackson Group - "Feel The Spirit" (Muro Diguma edit) (4:10)
Review: Given his reputation as Japan's "king of digging", you'll be unsurprised to learn that DJ Muro's latest scalpel-style Diguma Edits are of thoroughly obscure, hard-to-find disco cuts. For example, an original copy of Best Friend Around's hard to find modern soul-goes-disco number 'It's So Good to Know' - a warming and glassy-eyed cut full of hazy grooves, super-sweet vocals and spacey synth sounds - would cost you hundreds of pounds; Muro's shortened, light-touch edit seems a bargain at a fraction of the cost. Foaster Jackon Group's similarly rare 'Feel the Spirit', a carnival-ready slab of Brazilian influenced jazz-funk/disco-funk fusion, is given the Muro touch on the flip, with equally as exemplary results.
Review: Rhythm, blues and funk outfit The Blackbyrds were formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973, and as we have noted numerous times over at Juno, their music hardly saw the light of day around the time, save for a re-formation in 2012 after renewed interest brought their music back to light. The Washington fusion group were initially mentored by trumpeter Donald Byrd, but their sound came to differ from his sultry and slow tones, working in a more melancholic yet upbeat style, and flowery trumepeteering to boot. This 7" comes in stunning new vinyl quality, showing off a further two lost instrumentals, 'Rock Creek Park' and 'Gut Level'.
You Don't Care (About Our Love) (long version) (6:30)
You Don't Care (About Our Love) (3:48)
You Don't Care (instrumental) (4:27)
Review: The Record Store Day releases are coming thick and fast right now, and this is another doozy that arrives in limited quantities. British artist Mark 'China' Burton left an indelible mark with his one and only ever release, which is this soulful disco masterpiece. Produced by Adam Sieff and unveiled on the Logo label in 1979, this string-laden gem remains highly coveted, with original 12" copies fetching over L400. The arrangement, crafted by the UK's John Altman, who later collaborated with icons like Diana Ross and Tina Turner, adds to its allure. Altman, known for his work on the iconic 'Walking In The Air' with Aled Jones, lends his expertise to this limited edition release.
Review: Byamm follows up on the success of last year's well-received Anthropomorphic Fantasy EP with yet another mega-limited private press modern soul release that could be some cult favourite from the 70s. Featuring crisp production that blends gospel, heavyweight 80s boogie, classic 2-step soul, and downtempo joints, this collection delivers top-quality selections once again that will both get your heart dace, your feet tapping and your head nodding. With timeless songwriting and classic soul vibes, Byamm continues to showcase their talent for creating music that resonates across genres and eras here.
Review: Norman Connors 's 'She's Gone' and ''Mr.C' (the title cut from an album of the same name) have never been available on vinyl before but this year's record store day celebrations end that with a nice heavyweight pressing courtesy of Arista. 'She's Gone' is a timeless blend of soul and r&b that is much loved in the soul scene for its fresh composition and stirring, heartfelt vocals. The instrumentation too is next level and superbly fuses horns, strings, and rhythm instruments. Newly remastered but with a sympathetic ear for the original 80s sounds, this one will fly off the shelves.
Review: 'Back For More"' by Cool Million stands out as a true Neo-Boogie classic. Originally released in 2010, this infectious dancefloor anthem has become a coveted gem among DJs and collectors, with original pressings fetching remarkable prices due to its limited run of just 1,000 copies. Featuring the iconic vocals of Eugene Wilde, the title track is a soulful synth funk jam that continues to dominate playlists worldwide. The flipside offers another smooth midtempo delight featuring DeeDee alongside Wilde, further showcasing the duo's knack for crafting irresistible grooves. Now, in 2024, Cool Million is set to reintroduce their signature sound with new recordings, while simultaneously delighting fans with a limited re-release of the original pressing. This is an essential addition for any serious vinyl collector or DJ looking to elevate their sets.
Review: Reissued from the original Sedsoul 7" first laid down in 2010, and then a further digital 'House Session' edition in 2015, Cool Million and Eugene Wild are again 'Back For More'. Clearly, the Danish-German production duo, when in collaborative cahoots with r&b singer Wilde, are prone to redound to milking the dance for all it's worth; we gather that for as long as this tune is out, they'll always want their seconds and thirds, else they wouldn't eat, so to speak. So too does this third edition of the stellar, four-alt-mix 'Back For More' prove just as funky as it did at the moment of its original release fourteen years ago; Wilde rides the groove with serious flux, assuring the fulfilling of said prophesied return against spiccato strings and a curvaceous synth bass. There's even a karaoke version on there too, just in case you'd like to flaunt your underground soul intel at your next knees-up.
Review: This evergreen favourite gets another reissue, this time on coloured vinyl. Cool Million's 'Tonight' featuring the legendary Glenn Jones mixes up lush 80s soul and funk with a modern twist. Jones's soulful vocals seamlessly float as he serves up smooth lyrics that perfectly complement the infectious groove crafted by Cool Million. There's a nice balance of nostalgia throughout as retro influences kiss up with modern production which means that the tune carries a timeless appeal and always stands out in any set. This remains a must-cop, especially as we head into summer.
Review: 'One of a Kind' expands Cool Million's sound and marks a new direction towards a more diverse boogie funk style ahead of a much anticipated new full length which is due to arrive next year. This latest dancefloor hit features Seest, a Danish soul singer and longtime collaborator, while the tune blends funky, jazz-infused boogie that draws inspiration from artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, and The Crusaders. It boasts powerful horn arrangements, rich chord changes and driving basslines with an up-tempo power-funk groove at its finest. This single serves as a great taste of the album to come.
Review: When he moved to Germany in the early 1980s, Hudson People's Reg Hudson quickly connected with Johnny Davis - a funk and soul musician who had originally moved to the country in the 1960s while serving in the U.S Army. They recorded a string of tracks and albums together, though only a small number of these recordings were ever released. 'Expand Your Mind', a gorgeous, synth-enhanced, mid-tempo slab of "groove" music (a kind of warmer, more soulful and generally more organic-sounding sub-genre that sat somewhere between boogie and 80s soul), was one of those - though original copies are very hard to come by. This gem sits on side B of this issue, playing second fiddle to the previously unreleased 'Life's a Party' - a slap-bass, piano-solo-sporting slab of rubbery boogie/jazz-funk fusion.
Review: There's no doubt that crate-digger, record collector and renowned Discogs seller Zafsmusic knows more than most about the world of private press vinyl releases. This 12", originally pressed up in super-limited quantities by its' creator, Martin L Dumas Jnr sometime around the turn of the '80s, has long been a must-have for collectors with several thousand dollars to spare. The title track is particularly wonderful - a warm, breezy, loose and fluid chunk of boogie-soul that Zaf has slightly tweaked to suit the needs of modern dancefloors. Flipside "Nonstop To The Top" has a more jazz-funk feel, with intergalactic synths complimenting Dumas Jr's sweet vocal and conscious lyrics.
Review: First released way back in 1980 on the album of the same name, 'Coming To You Live' is one of the most beloved dancefloor jams in the sprawling catalogue of sorely missed soul-jazz organist Charles Earland. Here reissued on seven-inch (and therefore presented in edited form), the track blurs the boundaries between Latin-tinged disco and jazz-funk - all heady female group vocals, heady horns, spacey Herbie Hancock synths and infectious grooves. Over on the flip you'll find original B-side 'Street Themes', a breezier, similarly Latin-tinged jazz-funk cut that features some sensational keys-playing from Earland. In a word: essential.
Review: Astonishingly, original copies of Energize's 1979 private press single "Piece of Class" have changed hands for over 500 quid online. Helpfully, Rain & Shine have decided to save us all a few bob by slinging out this licensed reissue. The title track is something of a bustling disco-funk gem - a genuinely wonderful fusion of hazy vocals, dueling horn solos, spacey synthesizer flourishes and driving bass guitar. B-side "Star of the Disco" is an even more up-tempo affair, with mazy saxophone solos, rasping horn stabs and starry jazz-funk keys riding a walking bassline and high-octane disco drums.
Review: Ernie Mckone & Toby Baker have produced this new single for Erine & The Family McKone. The A-side features Valerie Ettienne who is well known for her work with the likes of Galliano and Jamiroquai (with him she made a cover of a Brenda Russell classic). 'In The Thick Of It' is a super silky and mid-tempo soul jam with lavish melodies and gentle grooves. The flipside is in cahoots with Lex Cameron, an increasingly noteworthy London-based singer. It's a tender and loved up tune for cosy dance floor moments.
Review: First Timers is a destined collaboration between two accomplished producers Andreas Stevens (aka DJ Greyboy) and Brian Ellis. Setting out to create timeless music using only the finest vintage hardware gear, they've conjured a stunning debut bridging a gap between funk and AOR/Soft Rock. First Timers unleash onto the world a 45 housing the working man's anthem 'Three Day Weekend' and Stone City-inspired 'Out The Sheath'. Both tracks feature live horn arrangements by the Black Thor Horn Section, an attribute as rare as the vintage synths and drum machines used to craft these tunes.
Review: The Foster Jackson Group are one of those forgotten but highly coveted one-hit disco wonders that exist in the bottomless pit that is often classed simply as 'soul'. All that aside, these people made an incredible 12" back in 1979 that has been going for serious bucks on the second-hand market, but thankfully the prodigious P&P Records have saved the day yet again. "Feel The Spirit" is a devilish, inimitable disco jingle that is split between the more percussion ridden "Long Disco Version", and a more contained, more floor-focussed "Disco Version" They both contain that instantly addictive dose of piano, though. Check it out, you'll know what we mean...
Review: Greenwood's 'Sparkle,' originally recorded in 1985 and long forgotten, found a second life thanks to Tokyo's DJ Muro, who included it in his Hawaiian Breaks mixtape in 2009. This unexpected resurgence of interest prompted Greenwood to return to the studio, resulting in a full-length album in 2014 that featured a newly polished version. Aloha Got Soul brings both the original 1985 and 2014 versions of together on a 7" vinyl, now available in a stunning 'sparkling' gold variant. The track, a brilliant English adaptation from the city pop master Tatsuro Yamashita's For You album, is pure 1980s city pop with its shimmering production and infectious groove. Greenwood's newfound success with "Sparkle" has reignited their passion, leading to the release of their sophomore album, Music Book, which continues their exploration of city pop with more Tatsuro Yamashita covers. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the band, this single is a delightful piece of music history, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia and timeless charm.
Trip To Your Mind (Chris Hill & Robbie Vincent remix) (9:02)
Review: Second time around for Hudson People's most celebrated single, 1979's obscure and suitably hard to find 'Trip To Your Mind'. The track was originally released on a couple of different labels, and mixes from both 12-inches are featured on this reissue. The 'Hit House' version, which we think was mixed by the band's leader and in-house producer, is a superb dancefloor jazz-funk epic rich in disco-funk licks, a driving groove, jammed-out electric piano lines, punchy horns, occasional vocal refrains and duelling rock and jazz style guitar solos. On the flip you'll find the breezier and arguably more club-focused remix by UK jazz-funk legends (and Funk Mafia members) Chris Hill and Robbie Vincent, a version that dubs out the vocals a little, prioritises the percussion and adds some superb sax solos.
Review: Late Nite Tuff Guy's Soul Cut #04 offers three expertly crafted edits that breathe new life into classic 70s tracks, blending disco, jazz, funk, and pop into a seamless listening experience. On Side-1, 'Beijo' sets the tone with a smooth, disco-infused reimagining of Earth, Wind & Fire's classic interlude. The track has a light funk undercurrent, creating a vibe that's perfect for dancing all night, with a Balearic twist that adds a fresh touch to the original. Side-2 kicks off with 'Sunshine,' a tasteful edit of Roy Ayers' iconic 'Everyone Loves the Sunshine.' Late Nite Tuff Guy maintains the soulful essence of the original while adding his own groove, making it a perfect summer anthem. The EP closes with 'U Got It Bad,' a rendition of Stevie Wonder's 'You've Got It Bad Girl,' reworked into a smooth, jazzy track that's both nostalgic and timeless. An excellent 12" for fans of classic disco, funk and jazz, with a modern twist.
Review: Italian producer LTJ Xperience (Luca Trevisi) and fellow jazz-funker Papik (Nerio Poggi) join forces for a fresh new track here, 'Best Life', featuring the American singer Anduze. Recalling the classic sound of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, the track brings a hard-hitting verve to their bright spark, and does good justice to the trio's prior collaborations, coming hot on the heels after one of their earlier works was included on the GTA V soundtrack. This 12" version also includes an instrumental version as well as a radio edit.
West Coast Poplock (Mister Mushi remix part 1) (4:20)
West Coast Poplock (Mister Mushi remix part 2) (4:17)
Review: Disco Donuts strike back with a back-to-back pose in the vein of pivotal disco-funk remixing from local edits master Mister Mushi. Once an out-letter of releases on his own Mushi 45 imprint, through which we heard many another reissue by the likes of Afro Breed and The Ethiopian Brothers, this second of two new migrations over to the Disco Donuts label proves a versatile sound and approach to his craft. The A-sider here features a mechanically reproducible instrumental version of Chic's 'Good Times' mashed up with Ronnie Hudson's 'West Coast Poplock', providing equal doses of freshness and reconnaissance.
Smack Dab In The Middle (7-Inch edit By Mr K) (5:25)
Review: No one edits a classic like Mr. K, as he has proven time and time again. Now the legendary studio craftsman is back and revisiting Paradise Garage and some of the club's legendary sounds. First up is TW Funkmasters' 'Love Money,' which was conceived by UK radio reggae jock Tony Williams and fuses Dennis Brown's reggae hit 'Money In My Pocket' with early rap influences. The dub version was embraced by New York's dance scene and became iconic at the 'Garage, with many homages coming later such as Larry Levan's Man Friday remake, 'Love Honey, Love Heartache.' On the flip, Janice McClain's 1979 Philly disco classic 'Smack Dab In The Middle' shines as Larry Levan's mix is reworked by Mr. K who turns up the jazzy groove with fresh breaks.
Review: In 2024, over 30 years after its release, Incognito's 1991 hit 'Crazy For You' has been reimagined by ONEGRAM with a stunning new arrangement. It brings out the soul with gorge vocals and lazy dub drums providing a perfect counterpoint. The B-side brings a vibrant twist featuring a groovier rhythm, ONEGRAM's signature horn section and lively steel pan melodies that blend Caribbean disco and reggae vibes. Adding to the fun, the ET Edit on the B-side is tailored for DJs and enhanced with tasteful effects for an energetic finish. This fresh take breathes new life into a beloved classic that showcases ONEGRAM's infectious sound.
Review: The Paradise Projex is a UK group that says they make "music with friends old and new." And that music is stylistically a balance of old and new, as this first EP from the new Expansion signings shows. It has slick modern production but a classic soul vibe over lush jazz drumming, with plenty of glowing and golden synths. The vocal work is buttery smooth and spreading positive messages of love. 'Feels Like Home' is all swooning grooves and beautiful harmonies, 'For This Love' has a Stevie Wonder feel and 'One Mind,Two Hearts' is life affirming dance floor goodness. 'With You' ends on a more pensive note and closes a fantastic EP.
Review: A veritable wall of soul sound comes from Pleasure, the Portland, Oregon band whose works were sampled by the likes of LL Cool J and Michael Jackson. 'We Have So Much' is an example of mega-falsettoing, climactic funk, urgently laying home the fact that 'it's now or never', and that, baby, 'it's time to talk about it'. Meanwhile the B-side cut, 'Joyous', meanwhile, hears the aftermath of said relationship's end. A gem from Sherman Davis and co.
Review: Athens Of The North will always be one of our favourite labels no matter what they're serving up. The Edinburgh-based deep diggers this time look to Race 'N Rhythm, which was once upon a time a 12-member jazz group based in Oakland. Jazz-master Rudolph Peters managed the multi-racial band and though they were admired on the vocal live circuit they only ever released one single before later doing an album. 'Space Saver' was recorded in California in 1982 and is a sultry and romantic soul sound with leads and coy rhythms. 'Candybar Superstar' on the backside is a pure fire dancefloor heater with high-energy claps, horns and vocals.
Review: Rahaan is one of Chicagos finest exports - he can do it all from edits to disco, dusty house to soul packed delights. He shows that again here by kicking off a new label, Gospel One, with a double 12" of cuts that all draw on gospel. The opener is a raucous and funky cut with belting vocals and noodling basslines, while elsewhere there is fleet footed groove and live sounding drums to 'Message In Our Muzik' that are topped with a superb female vocal. 'Don't You Worry' ramps up the tension with more fast and funky beats and 'He Can' gets down and dirty with some sleazy basslines and call and response vocals. A passionate package for sure.
Review: Who doesn't know this classic? Sampled by almost every hip-hop artist under the sun, and remixed many-a-time even by electronic artists and covers vultures, 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' is Roy Ayers' least deniable classic, often placed firmly in many 'greatest songs of all time' lists. In theme and sound, it is pure summer, capturing Ayers at his creative peak while in the company of his employ band, the Ubiquity. Peaking strings, lackadaisical melodies, and references to 'bees and things and flowers' paints an almost dizzyingly high-as-a-kite mood, as if Ayers wrote the song while under the effect of heatstroke. Whatever overtook him, it worked. Once more, the original releaser Polydor reminds us of the song's impact.
Review: Super Disco Edits decision to focus on releasing previously unissued gems from the disco era has resulted in a string of essential 7" singles. Predictably, this is another must-have. Vocalist and actress Roz Ryan recorded them with producers Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore in 1980, during a spell in Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'. They were destined for a six-track album that was sadly never released. A-side "Keep Shining" is a killer chunk of sing-along jazz-funk/disco/boogie fusion, full of sprightly P-funk synths and punchy horns. Flipside "Put Love Back", on the other hand, is a slow burning delight: a wonderful chunk of boogie-era late night soul shot through with heartbroken emotion. Both tracks are brilliant, in other words.
Review: It was way back in 1977 when disco collective Seaquence made their debut on Aidqueen Records, a tiny, independent label based in their home city of San Diego, California. That debut, a delightful but extremely hard to find "45", has long been in demand amongst deep disco collectors, hence this timely reissue on Athens of the North. The real killer is A-side 'Disco Thing', a tight-but-freewheeling chunk of disco-funk piled high with alternate male/female vocals, loose-limbed drum-breaks, punchy horns, swooping strings and squelchy synth sounds. Original B-side 'Your Love' is a deeper and far sweeter affair - a traditional flipside slow jam that's as tear-jerking as it is effortlessly soulful.
Review: Kaidi Tatham back on 2000BLACK needs little explanation really, does it? Anyone who takes broken beat and neo soul seriously should already be slipping this on in their cart, but for the uninitiated this is one of the grandmasters of the sound in full flight. 'Galaxy' is a beautiful, uplifting soul-boogie jam with a stunning vocal turn from Lola Violet, and it comes in two different twists depending on the energy you need to bring to your set - for us the 'Uptempo Mix' is a perfect shot of joy in the arm. 'A Message From Above' cools things down with gorgeous keys, a characteristically snagging beat and sultry horns, and 'Ergonomic Structures' slinks into the sweetest of downtempo funks that'll have you head nodding hard and keeping you chill all in the same beat.
Review: This release sees David A Tobin exploring the multifaceted nature of love, delivering a soulful house cut that's both uplifting and introspective. 'Fallin' In Love' is a journey through the complex emotions of romance, with warm chords and a driving bassline creating an irresistible groove. Tobin's emotive vocals capture the vulnerability and excitement of falling head over heels, while the track's soulful melodies and uplifting energy create a sense of hopeful optimism. The B-side, 'Turnin' Me On', takes a slightly different approach, with a more playful and seductive vibe. The track's infectious groove and seductive vocals are sure to get bodies moving, while its soulful undertones maintain the overall sense of heartfelt emotion. Together, these two tracks showcase Tobin's versatility as a producer and vocalist, delivering a well-rounded listening experience that will appeal to house heads and soulful music lovers alike.
Review: Sedsoul welcome back one of their mainstays, David A Tobin, with a fresh new tune, emblematic of a soul supremo reared in the gospel tradition. Tobin's nominal credits stretch as far back as the early 1990s, when he operated as a house music vocalist working under the stage name Phoenix, but his more recent efforts under his own name have seen him steer in a determined soul direction, post-2010. 'Fallin' In Love' is an amorous cascade and an homage to sea-changes, with the titular "falling in love" coming backed by refrained urges to "turn your life around".
Review: Transport's Move Your Body is a thrilling rediscovery from a once short-lived Portland outfit, featuring members from Ural Thomas' 1960s band. This eleven-piece disco-funk powerhouse recorded an album's worth of gems in 1978, but they remained buried for over four decades. The steady groove of the A-side captures their original essence, yet it's their dynamic rendition of 'Always There' that steals the showiarguably the finest cover of Ronnie Laws' classic to date.
Review: Destination 78/79: Expansion take us deep into the illustrious back cat of revered boogaloo fusionist Willie Bobo for two of his many fiery delights. Side A is his feel-heavy cult instrumental take on Ronnie Laws' disco classic "Always There" while Side B throws us into the heart of his 1979 album Bobo with gutsy raw soul power (and just a few cheeky funk slap bass twangs for good measure) Two stone cold classics together for the first time on 45.
Review: Italian dance producer Gianni Bini debuts on Groove Culture with the House Of Glass LP, topping up his impressive discography with a solo studio effort, and bolstering the already massive stock of production credits attached to his bulging, insatiable name. Though his various monikers over the years have indeed propelled him in a many-a-direction, Bini's latest here centres on epic disco, and rewinds the tape to an earlier sound first explored in his formative days as a producer; retroactively, we hear a livelier, more contemporary take on the stabbing strings, bristling bass and bubblegum beats - all live-recorded - that first put him on the map.
Review: Splash down to 1978-80: influential Philly funk troupe Breakwater gave the world two albums over two years.Full focus on slow jams and soulful fusion, the Breakwater melting pot is just as strong in jazz and Latin as it is soul and funk. Here we're treated to a selection of the best moments from Breakwater and Splashdown (minus the famous Daft Punk-sampled "Release The Beast") such as the unforgettable Floydian chorus of "That's Not What We Came Here For", the soaking wet bass and tight bright horns of the raunchy boogie jam "Do It Till The Fluid Gets Hot" and the sunshine soul of the sublime "Say You Love Me Girl". A sharp insight into a band that was criminally short-lived at the time..Rumour is there is a new album on the horizon and they still play live -there were two live uk dates in Jan 2017 already !
Review: Funk, soul and house music cognoscente Dave Lee spent the best part of two decades trying to find the ideal vocalist with whom to work on a full-length LP. Only lately did he chance upon the glabrous tones of Maurissa Rose on a Theo Parrish record, 'Free Myself', after which the impulse to work with a plucky yet radical-potential singer across an entire album could no longer be ignored. From 'I've Been Here Before' to 'Look At The Stars' to 'Do You Believe', this international communication in soulful house shimmies through uptempo boogie flavours and lower-slung street soul, and is best described as a career-defining milestone, polarising two talents as reps of two of dance music's most a-musing cities.
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