Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The fourth edition in Original Gravity's Down In The Basement series, which gathers instrumental soul and swing cuts onto worthy 7" slabs, resounding the fervent 1960s decadal gap in which mod reigned supreme. With juleps flowing and kneecaps knocking, Abramo & Nestor bring newfangled electric pianistic swing with 'Dig It!', while a twinned "hit it!" injunction is heard from Floyd James & The GTs on the reissued 'Work That Thang'; James' voice is tubed and speed-delayed to terrific effect, achieving a sprung intonation. Curtis Baker brassifies the bonanza with the lively 'Fried Fish 'n' Collard Greens', while The Native Yinzer's exiting excitation 'The Hip Strip' quilts our ears with a mnemic, down-feathery Hammond-breaks bit.

Review: Get yourself geared up for festival season with some fierce party starters certified with the Glitterbox stamp. Melvo Baptiste leads the charge with 'Sweat', a sizzling disco house stomper with Dames Brown giving the biggest diva energy on her show-stopping vocal. Lovebirds bring unbridled joy on the Philly string swoon and slinky b-line funk of 'Burn It Down', while Art Of Tones & Inaya Day keep it peak time on the sassy strutter 'Give My Love'. Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur complete the set with 'Smooth Sweet Talker', another bright and bold vocal cut par excellence.

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: If edits are your game then the Galaxy Sound Co is certainly the name. Along other labels like Mukatisuku, these dudes know how to repackage lost and rare soul 7"s, and this new two-headed funk bullet from Thelonious Gillespie is just painfully on target. The first edit is of "Soul Food" by Frankie Seay & The Soul Riders, a moody, dusty percussion bomb brimming with breaks and a grainy guitar accompanied by fine brass waves. Lyn Christopher's "Take Me With You" is pruned and reshaped into a glorious soul ballad with a hard edge, and a driving rhythm led by gliding electronic guitars and an inimitable bassline. Fine work right here.

Review: The latest drop of 'coffee shots' from Italian imprint Caffe Cornetto is another impressive affair showcasing re-edits and reworks by a quintet of artists. Label regulars BPlan and Fab-O join forces on opener 'Miscela Segrata', a lightly beefed-up and subtly quantized tweak of a heavyweight disco-funk jam, before rising star Reece Johnson slaps down 'Groove Espresso', a percussion-rich, all-action take on what sounds like a West African Afro-disco smasher from the mid-to-late 1970s. Over on side B, Shamarko offers-up an expert rearrangement of a low-slung, flute-sporting disco workout rich in gritty, funk-fuelled low-end heaviness, while Brazilian favourite Joutro Mundo lowers the tempo on the sun-baked, synth-sporting early evening gorgeousness of languid boogie jam 'Vem Obata'.

Review: Vinyl-only, 250 copies, no repress... Freedom Sessions certainly know us how to get excited. They've got the vibes to back up their air of exclusivity, too. Each of these four cuts are well-polished deep house cuts the shimmer and shake with the perfect balance of jazz, soul and disco. Native content for the Russian label comes from Buzz Compass (bubbling bass, dreamy chord swoops and a killer loop) and Petr Serkin (filtered bliss that builds and builds). Flying further afield, Italian Riccio dusts off his meanest slap bass while Belarus's Funkyjaws lays down an ultimately timeless lesson in jazz-licked filtered dynamism. Limited and lush... All boxes ticked here.

Review: Building on the momentum of their debut album, the legendary musicians and 577 mainstays return with Shine Hear, Vol. 2, a stunning continuation of their avant-garde exploration. Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter, pianist Leo Genovese, bassist William Parkeriwho also contributes on Gralla and Shakuhachiiand drummer and vocalist Francisco Mela, reunite to create another cosmic journey through sound. This second volume maintains the same spirit of improvisational brilliance while pushing the boundaries even further. Drawing from classic jazz structures, the ensemble weaves in modern experimentalism and a broad palette of instruments, resulting in an album that feels both timeless and innovative. The tracks and the album title are inspired by a new poem written by Carter, reflecting the transience and ceaseless motion of modern life, much like the city of New York, where all the musicians are based. This collaboration has unique magic can emerge when these legendary artists come together. Their interplay blends elegant, traditional jazz with daring, avant-garde arrangements. Shine Hear, Vol. 2 stands as a powerful and innovative work, affirming the quartet's ability to continually reinvent themselves while honouring the roots of jazz.

Review: Ten Lovers always manage to find a perfect sweet spot between jazz and house on the music it serves up. This new various artists' effort proves the point well: Marcello Cassanelli lunches the trip with groovy and nodding bass synths and airy vocal cries on 'Fantasia.' Zarenzeit then sinks into a bubbly groove with killer drums and sun-worshiping synths before Stefano De Santis drops some excellent broken beast on his squelchy synth workout 'Song For George D.' Future Jazz Ensemble takeoff into the cosmos and Caruso gets romantic on 'Vestimenta'.

Review: Two more rare grooves purloined from Cultures Of Soul's Brasileiro Treasure Box Of Funk & Soul and delivered on a sweet 45: Celia's "A Hora E Essa" is a steamy Latin funk workout from 72; all horns, cuicas and soft, honeyed vocals. Franco's "Ei, Voce, Psiu!" takes a more US funk idea with Franco's spoken vocals giving off a strong air of bandleader as the band lock down a tight groove beneath. Watch out for samba flip towards the end. Blink and you'll miss it.

Review: The new sublabel, La Sirenetta will be celebrating the vibrant Italian Afro scene of the late 80s while aiming to elevate World Music for today's dance clubs. This initiative focuses on unearthing and reissuing hidden gems from their extensive analog collections, spanning regions from Martinique to the Ivory Coast and Nigeria to Haiti. The first release features two tracks that encapsulate this vision: 'La Danza Della Giungla' on Side-1 and 'Quella E Una Bambola' on Side-2. Both tracks are expertly edited to ensure they resonate on contemporary dance floors, presenting them in high-quality, collectible 12" formats. With this launch, La Sirenetta promises to enchant collectors and DJs alike, laying the groundwork for a series of releases designed to invigorate Afro and world music scenes.

Review: The fourth in Numero's ongoing disco 12" series comes from the archives of the Bronx's Tap label. Found on a reel simply marked "Rub A Dub", the eight minute disco-rap achieved 'classic' status on our office stereo within an hour via its infectious whistles, key steps and synth vamps. Included here are the vocals and the extended instrumental form the Fabulous 3 MC's. Warning, this release in limited to 1000 copies!

Review: Previously unreleased and coated in a stunning artwork, this limited 7" from Spanish funkateers The Faith Keepers is a must-check for all groove connoisseurs... The band's unique Latin boogaloo fusion is felt in full effect throughout the rather dark title track as we're faced with hurricane vocals, rich textured percussion and a groove so hot it could melt concrete. "Don't Worry Bout Later", meanwhile, sees the band in a slightly deeper frame of mind as a more sun-kissed, Latin soul groove is laid down under more infectious, butt-wriggling percussion. Essential.

Review: Reissued by Before I Die after being singled out as a choice cut from a recent Swedish library music compilation, 'UFO' is a cosmic funk jam by one lesser-cited duo known as Falk & Klou. This being their only collaboration, the fused efforts of Carl Johan Fogelklou and Fredrik Segerfalk make for an otherworldly experience, with lasery sound FX and a strange narration complementing this toothy electro-funk oddball. The remix by Andi Henley (Ruf Kutz) on the A-side cements the track's importance.

Review: A modern lunar take on jazz and disco, Jazz On The Moon hears Italian producer Paolo Fedreghini moonwalk backwards through live horns, bass, synth and guitar for a crisply produced six-track EP. Opening with original NASA-issue intercom vocals from the 1968 moon landing, 'Interstellar' crafts a moonscape of Harmon-muted trumpet and avant-garde growls, while expansive electro-funk opens out on the title track and 'Distant Planet', by which point a tonal shift is underway. The vibe is increasingly P-funky, erring desolate on the interluding 'Outer Space', before we wind up purblinded by the light side of the mood on closers 'Groove Odyssey' and 'Cosmic Funk'.

Review: Expansion have been busy recently with a wealth of superb releases all dropping in relatively quick succession. This one comes from 70s and 80s Us soul family, Family Brown. They put out just one album in 1978 and a couple of singles with these two tunes now pressed onto 45rpm some of the best. On the a-side is the slow motion stepper 'Never Had A Love' which has pirouetting strings and male and female vocals playing off in seductive fashion. On the flip is the more groovy but just as melodically lush 'Listen.'

Review: ***B-STOCK:Very slight surface marks on the record, but otherwise in excellent working condition***


Expansion have been busy recently with a wealth of superb releases all dropping in relatively quick succession. This one comes from 70s and 80s Us soul family, Family Brown. They put out just one album in 1978 and a couple of singles with these two tunes now pressed onto 45rpm some of the best. On the a-side is the slow motion stepper 'Never Had A Love' which has pirouetting strings and male and female vocals playing off in seductive fashion. On the flip is the more groovy but just as melodically lush 'Listen.'

Review: Soul and funk heads won't want to miss this very special seven-inch from the Daptone Records crew, and not just because it's the label's 100th "45". The A-side features an all-star '60s soul cover of the Frightnrs rock-steady cut featuring vocal contributions from Saun and Starr, James Hunter, Lee Fields, Naomi Shelton, Duke Amayo, the Frightnrs and two legends who are no longer with us: Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones. It's a one-off that won't be repeated for obvious reasons, but more importantly it's very, very good. Over on the flip main man Bosco Mann takes charge, conducting and producing "two opposing armies" of woodwind and horn players from the label's expansive musical roster. As you'd expect, it's something of an epic.

Review: Ralph Lamb and his confrere Andy Ross are The Family Fortune. They serve up their own unique twists on sounds you would expect from James Brown with classic dance floor vibes and powerful vocals from the one and only Jessica Darling. This fresh new slice of funk gold comes on tasty 7" via the Skyline label. Both tracks are super short but super sweet. Up first is 'Andy Cafe '68' (part 1) with its prickly drumming, big horn work and playful swing. Flip it over and 'Andy Cafe '68 (part 2)' works the chords more but aside from that carries on where part one left off. Two tidy bits of funk of ever we did hear them.

Review: The next drop on the Skyline soul 7" series is this sureshot from the London scene, which finds Betty Black laying down a devastating turn on Arthur Hamilton's evergreen heart-wrangler, 'Cry Me A River'. Black's performance has the stature of Shirley Bassey et al, helped no end by the big band bombast of The Family Fortune's backing track. It's loaded with brass stabs and chic 60s stylings, all shot through with a heavy dose of funk. On the flip, the band go it alone with the complementary groove of 'Shock Value'. It's a pearler taking its cues from the same era, sounding classic in all the right ways while cutting through like a modern record should.

Review: Lotus Land Record's amazing underground funky disco release from Pittsburgh was originally released in 1980 on Jeree Records. Both sides of this 45 have went on to become firm underground classics of today. A side "I Wanna Be Loved By You" is a monstrously catchy uptempo disco tune which instantly captivates even the toughest dance floors, regarded by many as a deep house classic even though it is disco from 1980. B side "Please Be Truthful" is a brooding female vocal accompanied by blaxploitation rhythms. Both tunes are desperately sought after and until now virtually unavailable to the public. Original copies of the records will sell for over US$600, this may be the only chance today's DJs have to own this classic record.

Review: Earlier in the year, rare and unissued soul specialists Cordial Recordings offered up a fine album of previously unreleased recordings by Family of Swede, an obscure Oakland, California-based band who were briefly active in the mid 1970s. The label has now decided to follow this up by releasing the full, near 12-minute recording of album highlight 'Set Me Free', a deliciously spacey, slow-motion cosmic soul number that sounds like a Californian stoner's take on some of Cymande's most laidback and intergalactic work. It's rather brilliant all told, as is flipside opener 'Mellow', a synth-laden trip through up-tempo space-funk territory that's as infectious as Covid 19 at a student house party. 'Life', a funky slab of blue-eyed soul brilliance, completes a must-have EP.

Review: Working with its sister label OST Recordings, Acid Jazz releases a new version of 'Family Tree' by Family Tree, on a smart-looking label based on the look of the original's Ananda label. For the first time since 1975, this new reissue comes with the Kevin Beamish Disco version and a shorter disco mix, as was initially compiled. Handcrafted by 'I Specialize In Love' hitmaker Sharon Brown and her group Family Tree, this eponymous disco-funk sheller is an unpolished study of musicianship above overproduction; the drums are dynamic and dry, lending ample space to Sharon's nostalgic familial reminiscences.

Review: Way back in 1999, Acid Jazz Records launched an offshoot dedicated to disco edits: Original Sound Track Recordings. The best of the series' many superb reworks were later gathered together on a compilation album on EMI that now changes hands for significant sums online. Happily, they've decided to reissue some of their early releases, beginning with this 7" of Family Tree featuring Sharon Brown's "Family Tree". You'll find the peerless original - a breakbeat-driven chunk of lolloping funk brilliance - on Side A, with the label's 2002 "Super Disco Break Beat" version on the flip. Inspired by hip-hop DJs doubling up the track's brilliant drum breaks, it's a killer percussion workout with a few quick blasts of funk energy and carefully placed special effects (think flanged drums, reversed sections and so on).

Review: Rooted in the musical vibrancy of New Orleans, The Family Underground was led by Roland Treaudo and Manuel Herrera Jr and transcended cultural boundaries with their fusion of Baptist and Hispanic influences. Their legendary Sunday residency at Whitey's Devil's Den was consistently packed beyond its 400-person capacity and showcased Manuel's piano prowess and Roland's magnetic stage presence. For over 250 consecutive weeks, the band's electrifying performances continued into the early hours without promotion, drawing crowds far and wide. Amidst relentless touring, their limited studio time birthed timeless classics 'Everybody Knows' and 'For The Love Of You' which now arrive on this special 7" for Record Store Day.

Review: "Authentic afrobeat that sounds straight out of Lagos circa late 70s early 80's. Fans of Tony Allen’s solo recordings will love this, issued on 12" to give ample time to groove. It stands up against original and the best new afrobeat. One for the record collection." Martin Lawrie's review (soulgeneration - UK)
'Crache La Douleur' featuring Tony Allen was already playlisted by Gilles Peterson and many others, and is offered here in a totally new re-mastered version more powerful and percussive than ever. It will make you feel Fanga is playing in your living room. The highlight of this new release from Les Disques Cosmic Groove is the title track 'Noble Tree' featuring Segun Damisa, and the amazing remix version featuring Mike Ladd, who transcend the already terrific track in a totally new monster, adding a pinch of spiritual jazz feeling, a super dope dancefloor oriented broken beat and some joyful eerie female vocals. A totally new approach of the now standard Fanga's cut that demonstrates that Fanga has now become a super famous and talented band, and that The Cosmic Groove is a label you now have to consider as a super groove and beats seeker. An astral travelling from Lagos to France! Don't miss it .-D.O. 's Review

Review: New tunes taken from the upcoming album from this French Afrobeat crew on the Cosmic Groove label. If you like Antibalas then this is for you! Everybody who bought the first twelve inch from Fanga knows what time it is! Tony Allen didn't join the group for this record, but nonetheless it's a long funky trip in true style! Yes, we have to say it again, Fela Kuti mode...Pure spiritual African music. Great!

Review: The Fantastic Freeriding's "The Next Chapter EP" contains four flamin' new tracks by all Switchstance heads, painting the by now trademark collage of the label's various styles all anew in bright and shiny colours. Opening the EP is Gypsy Soul by Kabanjak - a dreamy yet percussive reflection that takes you right back to a campfire near the mediterranean shore. New March is pure Protassov: Beats, way fatter than his own bum, plus sounds, melodies and samples that go their own ways but always right forward. Deela here makes a glorious return (were they ever gone?) with Ghost Song, a fine specimen of broken beats that is sure to rock the more advanced dancefloors. Closing the EP is an uptempo funk track that was conceived right after Ancient Astronauts survived their first DJ trip to beautiful Greece - involving hardly any sleep, a near plane crash and totalling at a hectic 36 Hours. All tracks on the "The Next Chapter EP" are exclusives and not included on the album of the same name, to be released in July '06. "From spliffed up beats to jazzed out grooves, Switchstance is the source for dope tracks across the board!" - Fort Knox Five (USA) , "From Jazz to Cinematic sounds, from Rare Groove to Reggae and from Hip Hop to Post Rock: this is a trip and you'll go far beyond ! Congratulations for the album, this is really good!" - Kid Loco (FR), "Thank God for Switchstance! Mellow, deep, dubby freeriding for the folks out there that wonder what happened to Kruder and Dorfmeister. Now I've got my soundtrack for Summer!" - Gunnar Hissam (Om Records/USA), "I enjoy the many different shades & moods of the music presented here, hold together by a passion for funky hip-hop breaks & laidback atmospheres. Relaxed, soulful & deep while still danceable. I'm lovin' the whole compilation!" - David Borsu (Counterpoint Rec./B), "Switchstance Recordings continue establishing their unique sounds with another strong release. Respect!" - Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes/D), "Great label that always brings the funk!" - Rob Life (Breakin Bread Rec./UK), "Expect to see "36 Hours" as No. 1 in my next chart, it's a Jelly Jaz rocker cut!" - Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz/UK), "Amazing EP!!! Chart: #1 This really really blew me away! All amazing tracks but will be caining the '36 Hours' track this time next year! Fast & funky! will be in the box for a few months!" - Diesler (Tru Thoughts/UK.)

Review: Australian label Melbourne Deep Cast return! Originally released as part of this year's Record Store Day activities, this Snooze For Days 10" from Melbourne's finest deep house operators is now widely available and features cuts from the Man Fantastique, Andy Hart and Max Graef. Each has supplied some excellent beat down edits of material that some might recognize and others won't; Fantastic Man's slow burning "Paradise" for example is based around a devilishly pitched down vocal of a late 90s neo soul classic that only really comes apparent when the "yeah you might laugh" refrain comes looping into focus. Andy Hart is on straight up discofunk sleaze form with "My Queen" whilst Max Graef cranks up the dust on "Das Brett" which has the best double bass manipulation since Roni Size's "Brown Paper Bag".

Review: Freestyle serve up 2 James Brown tributes as a sampler for the recent Modern Funk compilation. It has been argued that 2007
was the year that the underground funk movement finally started to make its presence known in the mainstream. Huge selling
artists such as Mark Ronson, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse spearheaded a movement towards a more organic and authentic
sound, selling thousands of records in the process and whisking bands, who have been gigging in small sweaty clubs in the UK
for years, off on world tours. The music itself harks back to the golden years of Motown, Watts and Stax, as well as hundreds of
unknown smaller labels, but given the all important production values of the 21st century, making it perfect for the dancefloor -
hence the tag 'Modern Funk'. The a-side finds The Fantastics (previously known as Reverend Cleatus and The Soul Saviours)
getting busy with The Godfather's 'Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose', sticking pretty close to the original but slapping their unique style
all over it. Over on the flip Speedometer and Ria Currie take on 'Answer To Mother Popcorn', originally a Vicki Anderson number,
giving it a update for the dancefloor in 2008.

Review: Standby for a fantastic cover Evelyn King's boogie classic 'I'm In Love'! by The Far East, which do a similar job to the version serve dup by Jennifer Lara but with mare contemporary edge. The perfect paced lovers rock gem has a lush flute melody off in the distance as the steely drums trundle along. The vocal is super sweet and the languid chords add that sense of lazy afternoon heat. On the flip is a truly deadly dub with killer knob twiddling and vast bass. As the weather warms up and days grow longer this is always the sort of music you want to reach for.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record has very light surface marks/smudges, but otherwise in perfect working condition***


Standby for a fantastic cover Evelyn King's boogie classic 'I'm In Love'! by The Far East, which do a similar job to the version serve dup by Jennifer Lara but with mare contemporary edge. The perfect paced lovers rock gem has a lush flute melody off in the distance as the steely drums trundle along. The vocal is super sweet and the languid chords add that sense of lazy afternoon heat. On the flip is a truly deadly dub with killer knob twiddling and vast bass. As the weather warms up and days grow longer this is always the sort of music you want to reach for.

Review: Greg Belson is a world leading gospel collector and DJ who had great success with his Divine Disco series. He continued his vital work with Cultures of Soul on the Devin Funk compilations series and now the label are serving up the many highlights on 7". Here we have
Pearl Farano & The High Lights Of Joy with 'Who's Your Boss', a high speed funk gem with in the pocket drum playing and energetic guitar riffs. The real star of course is the coarse vocal that cannot help but light your fires. On the flip, Zella Jackson's vocal soars next to summery flutes and raw, dense rhythm sections.

Review: When Art Farmer and his sextet recorded "Mau Mau" and "Tijuana" in 1953 and 54, it was in cahoots with co-writer and arranger Quincy Jones, then in the early years of his career. Both tracks remain amongst Farmer's most potent tracks, showcasing a style of Latin-influenced trumpet playing that would later be popularized by Herb Alpert and his Tijuana Brass albums. "Mau Mau" is particularly potent, with Farmer's distinctive trumpet solos rising insatiably above a killer dancefloor groove. "Tiajuana" is a little less revelatory but no less essential, featuring as it does brighter trumpet motifs and jaunty piano lines over a dance-band jazz rhythm. This is the first time either track has been released on a 7" single, making this an essential purchase for jazz aficionados.

Review: Rarely do we get stuck into much library music at Juno, but that all changes with this new singles reissues series from King Underground. Homing in on the most select cuts from the Cavendish Music collection, one of the 60s and 70s' most prized libraries in the UK. One of seven split 7"s to be pressed, this one focuses on the orchestral oeuvre of one Dennis Farnon - one of the most esteemed library musicians to ever live - reinvigorating the spy-thriller, slow guitar-funky 'Trackers' and the alpine-chase-scene-worthy 'Snowmobile'.

Review: Dennis Farnon was a Canadian bandleader and composer whose bombastic sound transcended the trappings of the library music world to become universally enjoyed. This latest release on King Underground's library-focused Cavendish Series cherry picks two particularly wonderful joints from Farnon's catalogue of recorded works, with the brassy funk stomp of 'Pardon' paired against 'Night Driver's hi-octane car chase thrills - both shining examples of the masterful touch Farnon brought to the music he made across an accomplished career.

Review: Fasaan Recordings is a Malmo based vinyl imprint focusing on the more obscure shades of soul, funk, disco and afro related music. The debut single on the label is "Tyrone", a delicious slice of library soul and deep, afro-tinged jazzual grooves with plucked strings, violins and muted brass. On the flip, the pace picks up a notch with label mates Enjebeye's more club friendly ''Ario'' tapping into a more traditional afrobeat groove with throbbing live bass and great brass sections coming across as Sweden's alternative to Quantic Soul Orchestra. Juno is one of the few shops around the world lucky enough to get this labels releases so don't sleep.

Review: 5 Borough Breaks always serves up the working DJ with the sort of vital tools they need to get beat loving floors jacked up and moving. Here a load more iconic of the ages are chawed up and spat out on a new two track 7 " that features none other than legendary MC KRS One as well as American champ Fat Joe and Sammy Nestico. 'Bronx Tale' goes first with a nice laid back beat, funky bass and some edgy breaks that build a vibe while the KRS One rhymes come hard. Flip it over for 'Shoreline Drive' which is a soul led tune with soaring wind sounds, big cinematic drama and a hint of 60s style.

Review: Miami's Far Produce are fresh faces, but their sound is full of respect for times past, building on classic soul jazz by bringing it a modern instrumental twist. Led by two Studio City, CA natives - Addison Rifkind on guitar and Michael Duffy on drums - Fat Produce deliver a veritable cornucopia of fruits and groceries to chew on here. 7" A-sider 'Sticky Beets' turns our inners red, as we're led to imagine chowing down on the perfect beetroot yield and the funky euphoria that inevitably follows ingestion of such a delicacy. B-sider 'Son!', meanwhile, draws on an amalgamation of several Bay Area-inspired grooves - Duffy is a walking rhythmic encyclopaedia - set against an improvised, on-the-fly groove first laid down by Rifkind, whose hook-worthiness is unmistakable here.

Review: The Dynamite Cuts crew serve up another scorching 45 here with two legends taking one side a piece. Both of these tracks are making their first ever appearance on vinyl here, the first being by the funk pioneers The Fatback Band. Their 'Fatbackin' is a rare groove classic that has long got b-boy's excited and brims with energy. Flip it over and you'll find 'Matrix' by jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie - famous for his humungous cheeks once he starts playing. It's a massive tune that has been sampled endlessly by the hip-hop world and has a sweet jazz-funk groove that'll make you move.

Review: From the aquatically-focused Pirahna & The Posse Productions crew, the Octoposse label has a simple premise, to give you bang tidy rub downs of crucial funk cuts. No nonsense, just a razor sharp instinct for razor and tape in pursuit of the good groove. They kicked off some four years ago with edits of Dexter Wansel and Pleasure, and now they're going in on a smoking hot 7" featuring one of the greatest cuts The Fatback Band ever committed to tape. '(Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop' is widely considered one of the best in all of funkdom, and for good reason. As well as a funked up remix on the A-side, you get a smouldering instrumental ride out on the flip, all the better to get those bodies locked in rhythm.

Review: Fatboy Slim has recorded his own version of Kraftwerk's "Radioactivity". The b-side is by the one and only Bootsy Collins, written by Paul 'Beautiful South' Heaton.

Review: Austin Boogie Crew presents the vinyl debut of ATX musician Father Sheed (Nick Jamshidi). Sheed is a resident DJ of the renowned ubiyu party and as a producer he established his local presence by co-founding electronic imprint Two Geez Music. On this 45, Sheed offers two slabs of moody modern funk with electronic-indie flourishes. For fans of acts like Toro y Moi and Shiro Schwarz, the results are truly mouth-watering.

Review: Originally released in 1979, this is a highly sought-after gem due a reissue to bring its soulful, classic charms back into the spotlight, complete with the original B-side. The opening track, 'Hollywood Dreaming', is a smooth, catchy piece that expertly blends a funky rhythm with a rich horn section and excellent vocals. The infectious melody and creative arrangement make it a standout in the band's catalog. It's a track that embodies the essence of late '70s soul and funk while still feeling fresh and timeless. 'Shine On' delivers a late-night disco groove, heavily influenced by the genre's rise during the era. Its funky bassline and smooth rhythm provide a perfect soundtrack for dancefloors and intimate settings alike. The track oozes with soulful energy, showcasing the band's ability to seamlessly merge funk and disco influences into a cohesive sound. Father's Children, formed in Washington, D.C., originally as a doo-wop group, evolved into a funk and soul powerhouse by the late 70s. It is certainly bittersweet to hold this piece of music in your hand - and especially without having to take out a second mortgage.

Review: Starting out as a group called The Dreams, Washington DC's Father's Children hit their stride in 1972, recording some early sessions before hitting the road around America. Unfortunately their career never quite gathered momentum despite releasing an album in 1979, but fortunately the masters from their early days were preserved and finally unearthed for a 2011 reissue on Numero. It's from this reissue that two of their finest early singles are pulled for this perfect soul nugget on Soul Direction, the slow and funky 'Everybody's Got A Problem' and the joyous, dreamy 'In Shallah'.

Review: Favourite step up with a 7" of two distinct halves, digging some niche funk cuts up from hidden corners. Leading up on the A side is Paul Fathy with 'Funky Baby Love', which was originally the flip to his 1982 single Je N'Speak Que L'Amour. The track is a pristine slice of disco funk in the Shalamar tradition which can't fail to get a floor filled up good and proper. That track is backed up with 'Karukera C'est Comme ca', a sunkissed slice of zouk goodness from Guadeloupe in 1988 by Corail' - the kind of thing you could imagine Palms Trax rinsing out during a feel-good day time session somewhere on the Adriatic coast.

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: The Fossils label has been unearthing more musical treasure for its fifth outing, and this one takes you directly to the Middle East for some twisted disco-funk with red hot grooves courtesy of Fava Luva & Dr. Professor. The source of the tunes is obscure and unknown but the pair bring plenty of their own goodness with additional layers of live instrumentation really bring them to life. 'Lahatz' is steamy and full of sensuous vocal magic and cosmic synth work that will get the floor into action, while 'Kerem' is even more topical and exotic with its rich array of strong melodies and downtempo beats making for a woozy and wonderful trip.

Review: Ohio funk band Faze-O dropped 'Ridin' on their seminal 1977 album of the same name. It was a Top 10 r&b success back then and has been sampled by many a hip-hop head ever since from J Dilla to Snoop Dogg and Ghostface Killa. Now we get a super edit from two kings of the form in BlackCash & Theo. This plays on point duo up the laidback funky vibes in their own unique way. The languorous bass roll deep, the buttery vocals still melt the soul and the gorgeous chords will light up any dance floor with real warmth. What a doozy.

Review: 
The Dynamite Cuts 45s series is back with another of their funk fuelled double 7" packs of wonder. FBI were Funk Band Inc, the UK's original jazz funk outfit back in the seventies. This double 45rpm was originally put out in 1977 and has since become a hugely in demand collector's item. The self-titled opener is a languid limb-loosener to open up with Parliament style bass riffs and popping horns, then 'Talking About Love' picks up the pace for a high seeped funk chase with seductive sax work and 'Bad Deal' slows down once more to a more libidinous vibe. Bright Rhodes solos and buttery vocal seduction defines closer 'Love Love Love.'

Review: Who knew the Federal Bureau of Investigation maintained a front as a funk band? FBI (which supposedly stood for Funky Bands Inc., or so those investigative bureaucrats would like to claim) allegedly consisted of such false identities as Herscel Holder, Lloyd Smith, Lennox Meade and Raffi Pereira. 'Keep On Running' is one of several new declassified audio recordings to be released to the public domain; we're not sure which whistleblower at Dynamite Cuts is responsible for this potentially dangerous info leak, but all we do know is that it is hella funky.

Review: The man with more beats than a Columbian drug lord has marching powder makes his debut release on Freestyle with "Audio Fdelity". Hailing from Perth Australia Fdel has been a name on the music scene down under for many years. Making his name with the Triple J playlisted "El Questro" in 2002, he's been steadily building his career as party rocker number one and sample slinger par excellence. Packed with more cuts and 'breakface' inducing hooks than you can shake a stick at, this one man production outfit is ably assisted by Downsyde's DJ Armee on the scratches. Finding it's home amongst the funk/hip hop/breaks scene, fans of Fort Knox Five, Dynamo Productions and Kraak & Smaak will not be disappointed with the bouncing breaks packed into tracks such as "Rocksteady", "Get Up On Ya Feet" and "Ladies And Gentlemen".