Back catalogue: Funk

Review: In 1977 in Portland, writer Ron Stassens assembled members of Pleasure and Transport around Slickaphonic frontman Milton Davis and the result was an album's worth of amazingly soulful disco-funk, re-released in July 2023 under the Albina Music Trust label... However, here for the first time ever, on Soul7/Jazzman records' picture sleeved 7" 45, Milton Davis returns home in this most apt of formats, on only 500 numbered copies with the stand out 'Headed For The Disco'. A gorgeously sweet solid gold soul track that ventures into jazz funk at the beautifully timed electric guitar and organ breaks where the 'get down' is inevitable but satisfyingly returns to the repetitive refrains of the melody. Joyously extending what disco truly means, be that a hustle or a step back, here the breadth of this uplifting genre is celebrated, concluding in a lush decrescendo 'aaaahhhh...'. Add this to the more mid-tempo classically soulful smoochy B-side 'All I Want To Do' and you won't want to hang around, as Soul 7/Jazzman singles whilst applauding rarer grooves notoriously become collectables in themselves.

Review: When Jazzman themselves describe a release as 'hopelessly obscure' and 'off the radar to even the most dedicated' you know you've got something special. There's a really raw rusty garage funk to both sides here; both the classic R&B swing, majestic organs and powerful vocals of "Look Out" and the sweaty instrumental frenzy "Mother Duck" instantly enrapture and make you ponder the age-old question... HOW has this gone unnoticed for so long?

Review: Another fine lesson in deep crate curation, Jazzman rediscover the criminally overlooked skills of Virginia troubadour Lenis Guess. Recorded during the late 60s and 70s, many of the cuts on this special triple-7" box set have never been further than the state line. Which is utter madness... Just listen to the lavish, lolloping bass jam on "How You Gonna Do It", the firing JB-style horn drama of "Thank Goodness Gotta Good Woman" and the raw belly-bound blues soul of "Workin' For My Baby" and you'll wonder how he remained an obscurity for so long. Complete with detailed liner notes, this is a must for all funk aficionados.

Review: Unearthed from Portland's Albina district, this release revives a slice of 1975 funk that deserves the spotlight. These horn-led tracks balance tight rhythm with unfiltered joy, capturing the raw energy that defined Deep Funk's early days. Both sides are undeniable gems, blending weighty grooves with an effortless flow. This is a limited release, pressed on 7" vinyl with a dinked centre and capped at 500 copies, each packaged in a picture sleeve. It's a vital reissue for those who appreciate the power of funk in its most genuine formigritty, vibrant, and timeless.

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.