New releases today: All genres

Review: Long buried and now finally pressed to 7", 'Drug Story' is a curious outtake from Joe Bataan's post-Riot! hot streak, recorded in the late 60s, when studio time came easy and inspiration even easier. Originally shelved by Fania execs, who balked at what they misread as an endorsement of drug use, the track sat forgotten until a reel surfaced in a New York thrift store and eventually made its way into Vampisoul's hands. First released on the eponymous Drug Story LP in 2022, it now appears in its firstly intended single format. The track unspools slowly, with Bataan on lead vocal and keys, eventually flipping into a looser Latin funk section with Bobby Rodriguez, Pete Quintero and William Howes Jr.

Review: One very handy 7" single and two monumental disco instrumental edits surely destined to get butts waggling on any given dancefloor. The A-side is swept along by a propulsive funk guitar line, neatly switching from classic 70s lushness to 21st century robotics and vocodered vocals and back again, while the flip goes for a more soul-driven vibe, the tight drums and bass pairing polished off by some delicately applied Rhodes piano, definitely the glitterball cherry on top. DJ weaponry so deadly it should probably be outlawed by some international treaty.

Review: Kirk Davis aka Little Kirk scooped out an explosive lovers' rock career for himself after the 1986 debut 'Ghettoman Skank/Bad Boy Fe Dem', setting sail from Waterhouse, Jamaica to score a wicked eight albums from the mid eights all the way through to 08. 'Weed Them Out' came early as his third single and proved an early digital lovers' rock candy to chew on, its firm rims and Linns standing out stark against a brilliant cascade of synth arpeggios, and lyrics that speak of the fame-making, achievement and entertainment industry travails.

Review: As championed by DJ Koco......Mukatsuku Records keeps the spotlight on Japan once more here with a fresh 7" from SMOKIN' the JAZZ, a jazz-hip-hop trio made up of Sugames Japon on piano, guitarist Shu Fujiyama and NOBUdaDREAD, who is a turntable wizard. They've been working together since 2018 via their own Loud Minority Productions imprint and here they keep it deep and seductive with two laid-back, jazz-soaked instrumental hip-hop covers full of warmth and plenty of musical finesse. 'Gypsy Woman' is a delightfully gentle groove with conversational horns while an exclusive instrumental of 'Just A Lil Lovin' on the B-side is full of soulful, head-nodding goodness tailored for jazz heads, beat lovers and crate diggers alike.

Review: One of the rarest singles from 1960s Venezuela sees its first official reissue, a garage nugget by The Pets-an obscure Caracas outfit active during the boom of the local nueva ola. Formed in the wake of The Beatles' worldwide success, the group left behind just one LP and this impossible-to-find 7", issued in 1967 and long coveted by collectors. The A-side, 'El entierro de un hombre rico que murio de hambre', is a raw, fuzz-laden standout-equal parts social commentary and proto-punk bite, its warped organs and sneering vocals earning it cult status across Latin garage circles. On the flip, a Spanish-language version of The Doors' 'Hello, I Love You' finds the band leaning fully into the era's beat influence with jagged charm. Sourced from original master tapes and newly remastered, this is a vital piece of Latin American garage history-delirious, political, and burning with youthful revolt.

Review: Jim Sharp and Double A join forces for a transatlantic double-header that bridges golden-era hip-hop with deep soul roots and contemporary flair. On side A, Sharp’s ‘Clap Like That’ flips Digable Planets’ ‘Cool Like Dat’ into a head-nodding groove, stitching in Showbiz & AG’s ‘Soul Clap’ for a dusty, feel-good redux that rides the line between nostalgia and dancefloor punch. It’s a crisp, crate-dug edit that stays true to its 90s source while adding modern swing. Flip it for Double A’s ‘Talkn Bout’ Practice’, where J. Cole’s ‘Can’t Get Enough’ vocals weave into the funk-fuelled backbone of Booker T. & The M.G.’s ‘Melting Pot’. The result is a rich, tempo-perfect rework that’s both soulful and punchy, fusing eras without feeling forced. Together, the pair deliver two clean-cut DJ tools rooted in reverence, rhythm and replayability.

Review: A nice mix of funk, hip-hop and reggae influences go into the melting pot on the latest SuckaSide, with 'Even After All' proving to be a laid back, blunted jam that's backed up with some hard hitting, sturdy beat manouevres. On the edgier sounding flip, meanwhile, a female MC spits with impressive ferocity while a lovely warm - and somewhat familiar - analogue-edge loop works its magic. Both are key components for use at different points in the jam, some badly needed heavy weaponry that Donald Trump can't withdraw from service here.

Review: Unearthed from the vaults of funk veteran Tim Tucker, this fantastic Got That Energy EP delivers two unreleased boogie gems from the 80s that have been reworked by SoCal DJ and producer Knoe1. A lifelong musician and unsung hero of the scene, Tim always brought raw authenticity, while Knoe1 sharpens the sound for modern dancefloors. Title track 'Got That Energy' is a high-octane ass-shaker packed with punchy bass and irresistible swagger. On the flip, 'Don't Hesitate' slows the pace by blending emotional vocals and synth-soaked soul. This is pure summer heat for a range of different settings.

Review: The Magic Wand label casts another of its sonic spells with an anonymous artist at the helm. It's a knowing blend of many different influences all subtly distilled into a low-key classic. There are elements of yacht rock, Balearic, dub, funk and soul all to be found here. The bassline of 'Crossfire' is slight but funky, the drums sit low in the mix but soon sweep you away on a gentle breeze at sundown and the vocals are effortlessly cool and carefree but really cut through with a quiet charm. This bit of disco sorcery is a one-sided gem that is never going to leave your bag.

Review: Venice-based DJ and collector Zaffa is next up on the ever-superb Scruniversal label with a couple more delightful disco dancers. 'Trip Through The Galaxy' is a slow-motion cosmic trip that is vast in scale and high on soul thanks to the warm vocal that floats amidst funky riffs and glowing keys. Things stay just as sensuous and steamy on the flip with 'Supernova Child', another fluid and funky jam with oodles of synth magic and gentle grooves all soothing mind, body and soul. The real kicker is the vocal samples that add extra spaced-out funkiness.