Tags: Jazz Funk Disco

Review: Two years ago New Guinea joined forces with Early Sounds Recordings to offer up a killer compilation of rare 1970s and early 80s disco, jazz-funk and electrofunk recordings from Napoli, the Italian city they call home. Such was the success of the set that they've decided to offer up this equally impressive sequel. Amongst the mostly ultra-obscure, little-known cuts you'll find a wealth of highlights, from the high-octane disco stomp of Tonica & Dominante's "Babilonia", the spacey boogie business that is Ara Macao's super-sweet "Reflection", the languid AOR-funk of Maria Kelly's "Dimme" and the low-slung jazz-funk brilliance of Tony Iglio's "Luci Di New York".

Review: LA-based disco-funk outfit Colletivo Immaginario are keepers of the flame for honey-glazed grooves with a faithful 70s studio sound that simply melts in the ears. This new single is the first 12” on the Domanda label they call home, and it shows off the band at their best, with core members Alberto Lincetto, Nicolo Masetto and Tommaso Cappellato joined by none other than Danilo ‘MCDE’ Plessow moonlighting on Moog for the six-minute odyssey ‘Tempo Al Tempo’. As well as the spellbinding original version on the A side there’s a show-stopping twist on the track from legendary remixer Patrick Gibin on the flip which zeroes in on the house-compatible qualities of the rhythm section to make for a DJ-friendly version which will light a fire under any assembled throng of party people.

Review: Pellegrino and Zodiac's 'Malia' bills itself as a 7" that serves as "a spell, a journey through the wonder of life, in search of the Mediterranean essence." For our money, it finds that essence and serves it up in musical form here across a brace of gloriously escapist cuts. 'Malia' is a disco cut with sunny synths and loose-limbed rhythms that draw on jazz-funk and Balearic tropes. It has a distinctly Italo twist that cannot fail to get you going. 'Malia Carribean Escapade' is even more exotic with its more cosmic array of synth leads and lively vocals full of Latin passion and flair.

Review: There's always something to catch the ear in the tradition of disco and funk from Naples, and so it goes with this diggers' delight by Stani Labonia. Originally released on It/RCA in 1978, it's an album with a quirk in its lavish arrangements, which were put together by the likes of Pino Daniele and many other respected figures from the history of Neaopolitan music. It's Labonia who gives the album its unique, wild energy though, while Jenny Sorrenti brings some wonderful vocal additions to 'E Jennifer Non Sa'. If you're into the world of European soul oddities from yesteryear, you're going to love this reissue on La Matta.

Review: Tullio De Piscop is an Italian drummer of some repute. He worked solo and with his quartet and interest in his records, many of which were recorded back in the 70s, has piqued recently resulting in a load of reissues. Sotto E 'Ncoppa is one of them and it was recorded back in 1976 and has since gone up in value and rarity. It's a jazz-rock fusion album with a whole host of electric guitar, bass, saxophones and pianos on it that embelish each cut and make the whole thing packed with detail.