Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Roy Ayers at his most transcendent. 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine' is more than a summertime anthemiit's a spiritual moodboard that's shaped jazz-funk, soul, r&b and hip-hop for nearly 50 years. Ayers, born in Los Angeles and raised in its fertile fusion scene, places the vibraphone at the music's heart, coaxing heat-haze tones from sparse chords, synths, and that honeyed chorus. Flip it over and the instrumental version unlocks a deeper layer: stripped of vocals, it becomes a pure groove, drifting and hypnotic. What lingers is the balanceibetween melancholy and bliss, rhythm and release. A rare track that feels entirely unhurried yet quietly radical, now preserved in a limited pressing that looks as golden as it sounds.

Review: This orange 7" is a miniature monument to one of soul's most quietly influential figures. Roy AyersiLos Angeles-born, jazz-schooled, funk-mindedicrafted 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine' not to dazzle but to dissolve. It moves with a drowsy clarity: shimmering synth, near-whispered vocals, and a lazily tumbling bassline that never quite lands. Released during a golden run of Ayers' mid-70s material, the track has since become shorthand for warm-weather introspection, equal parts ease and ache. The instrumental version on the reverse keeps the spirit intact, offering a meditative glide through the same terrain. Limited to 300 copies, this orange pressing pairs a low-lit groove with a deepening sense of legacyiAyers' influence isn't just heard, it's felt in the space he leaves behind.

Review: Few recordings capture the easy intensity of a summer afternoon like 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine'. Released in 1976 and wrapped in slow-drifting synths and soft falsettos, the track became a touchstone not just for Roy Ayers, but for 70s soul and beyond. Born in Los Angeles, Ayers helped define the jazz-funk crossover, placing the vibraphone at the centre of a sound both hazy and sharply detailed. The original vocal take on the A-side still melts under its own warmth; the instrumental on the flip uncovers the careful architecture beneath. Issued here on 7" black wax following Ayers' recent passing, this reissue feels like both a keepsake and a quiet honouring of an artist who shaped a whole way of listening.

Review: Legendary Brazilian jazz-funk trio Azymuth drop their latest record 'Arabuta', pointing themselves in a new cardinal direction in sound. The limited 7" brings two new mix version of their recently released 'Arabuta' to the fold, both by fellow producer and Azymuth collaborator Daniel Maunick. Part-dancefloor, part-dub, both versions bring preservative tones, fully circling the resinous Brazilwood tree after which the track is named. The Tupi Guarani word for the endangered tree fuses with deft unperturbed jazz licks, despite the sense of urgency in saving the species, underscoring Azymuth's fusion of timeless Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic futurism. In more ways than one, this record serves as a symbol of both the value and fragility of Brazil's natural beauty.

Review: Rhythm's Got Soul is a sonic trip back to the fever-pitched disco era, where Asabi Goodman's powerhouse vocals and Geoff Boardman's dynamic production converge to create an electrifying dancefloor experience. Bursting through the stratosphere with all frequencies blazing, the track treats listeners to pitched horns, filtered drums, and sultry vocals, reinforced by Andrew 'Bigfoot' Leslie's everlasting bass. Momentum builds with Dave VHS's rhythm guitar and vamp keys, accompanied by hectic percussion, culminating in a groove that's both syncopated and loose, thanks to the MPC4000 sample treatment by The Soulicitors. On the flip side, 'Rhythm's Hot' (Afro Instrumental) takes listeners on an Afrocentric trip, with a relentlessly persuasive percussion groove reminiscent of Midnight Marauders chords. Well-timed transitions spread smooth like butter, weaving elements like A Taste Of Honey basslines into an instrumental strut that builds to a disco-fever crescendo. It's a monster cut that keeps the energy high and the dancefloor moving. Asabi Goodman's vocal versatility, effortlessly shifting from sweet and soulful to commanding and powerful, adds depth and emotion to each track, while Geoff Boardman's production shines through, blending samples and live instrumentation into a resonating dynamic disco experience. 'Rhythm's Got Soul' is a standout collaboration that begs to be checked out.

Review: 'Rhythm's Got Soul' is the highly anticipated collab record between singer-songwriter Asabi Goodman and producer/arranger Geoff Boardman aka. Blunted Stylus. A testament to the enduring efficacy the mixture of belter vocals and powerhouse production, 'Rhythm's Got Soul (Lose Control)' and its contrapuntal 'Afro Instrumental' make for raunchy, impudent soul-dance divinations, with booming kicks n' claps, felt-out breaks, and longing harmonies making up their effusive bulk. The B is particularly great, making use of spare components and one-off vocal injunctions to "come and dance with me."

Review: Jalapeno jive maestro Soupasoul had another standout year, in 2024 and only heightened his reputation for crafting exceptional edits that bring new life into funk standards and hidden gems. With a sharp focus on the groove-rich breaks, he is back once again with another instalment that will ignite dance floors everywhere. This time his scorching rework of 'Give It Up' spotlights dynamic horn interplay and soulful jazzy choruses and 'Rock Steady' celebrates Aretha's powerful vocals paired with a killer breakbeat. These finely tuned edits honour the originals while adding fresh energy.

Review: The story goes that T Funk Collective were formed during lockdown after the wealth of time offered by the anti-pandemic measure allowed Manchester DJ T2Funk to hone and streamline his crate-digging chops - leading naturally to the formation of a collective of producers and turntablists, who now contribute their own modern funk bits to their very own label. 'Since I Fell For You' is a quality, hi-fi instrumental funk number suited for DJs and dancers alike. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything less inhibition-melting for some time.

Review: Japanese popstar Anri continues to hear her entire back catalogue reissued - this time we home back in on Bi Ki Ni, her mid-career (1983) city pop opus, which laser-focuses on the romantic tropes of sunsets, beachside flings, and heartfelt goodbyes over cocktails in flight lounges. The coalescing of jazz, funk and disco meshes neatly as Anri glides tightly over each ultra-slick instrumental, with the aptly named 'Good Bye Boogie Dance' being a particularly neat highlight.

Review: The One by Will Sessions is a masterful blend of late 70s progressive funk, soul and boogie, brought to life with the help of Detroit legend Amp Fiddler and the dynamic vocal trio Dames Brown. The album tells a compelling story of love and its challenges in the heart of Detroit, with each track exuding authenticity and groove. The opening track, 'What It Is,' immediately sets the tone with its infectious rhythm, destined to become a dancefloor staple. Amp Fiddler's gritty vocals shine on 'Lost Without You,' perfectly matched by the growling bass and warm groove. 'Belle Isle Drive' offers a laid-back, Sly Stone-esque vibe, while 'Rendezvous' and 'Reminiscin' pure boogie, designed to get you moving. The expansive 'Seven Mile' brings a spacey, relaxed energy, and 'Who Am I' stands out as a soulful gem, with Dames Brown delivering impeccable harmonies. The album closes with the angular and uptempo 'Reconcile,' rounding off a flawless set. The One is an essential listen for fans of boogie and Roy Ayers, showcasing Will Sessions at their creative peak.

Review: Encore has been remastered from the original tapes and features 11 compositions by Arthur Verocai who was joined by the legendary Azymuth, Ivan Lins and a nine-piece string section. The album was a long-awaited follow-up to his 1972 debut so bridges 35 years and bottles up Brazilian influences with American soul and cinematic experimentation. Initially overlooked amongst his wider canon, Verocai's debut gained cult status thanks to Far Out Recordings' Joe Davis who rediscovered it in the late 80s. In 2004, producer Dave Brinkworth brought Verocai back to the studio to reignite his musical brilliance. A master arranger, Verocai's work with Brazilian legends shaped his visionary sound and have helped to cement him as a timeless force in music history.