Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Japanese jazz, funk and rare groove sensations Nautilus share their latest cover version, this time of Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love'. This version stars Toshiyuki Saki on guest drums and vocalist Ruto Kasahara on vocals, bringing a digressional arc to Nautilus' usual sound. On the flip comes another rerub, this time of Nautilus' own 'Love Theme From Spartacus', from their latest album, remixed by producer Kenichiro Nishihara, which incorporates a light-hearted and feathery jazz-hop verve.

Review: With an irresistible blend of broken beat and nu-jazz grooves, 'Chameleon' is a enjoyable smooth jazz gem driven by funky basslines, strings, lively percussive and catchy keys. The arrangement flows effortlessly, creating a sound both sophisticated and danceableia perfect balance of complexity and accessibility. Flipping to the B-side, 'Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong' takes a more laid-back approach. Led by a warm, soulful organ, the track exudes chill vibes with its subtle funk underpinnings and jazzy finesse. The addition of a vocoder adds a playful, retro-futuristic charm, rounding out a composition that's as soothing as it is engaging.

Review: New-gen rare groove band Nautilus, operating out of Japan, deliver their latest 7" record, 'Life'. Just two crisp, piquant, fresh, and bubbly uncorkings in sound - 'Life', featuring vocalist Emi Tawata, and the instrumental 'Master Blaster'- are here heard sprayed like buckshot across the stereo system. The former is a candid admission by Tawata of her fear of the dark and ghosts, one which compels the listener to ponder the song's spiritual metaphor - "I'd rather have a piece of toast, watch the evening news" being the lyric of note - while the latter is a comparatively muted four-to-the-floor funk inflammation, held together by a phat but tricksy drum line and overgirding Rhodes.

Review: Nomade Orquestra's long-awaited Terceiro Mundo marks the culmination of a conceptual cycle for the Sao Paulo collective. This fifth studio LP is a powerful journey of resilience, conceived during the challenges of the 2020 pandemic. The album's eight tracks weave together a sonic patchwork that merges revived older ideas with fresh, pandemic-era compositions. The record brings the trilogy of instrumental releases to a close, with grooves and energetic beats drawing heavily on funk and soul influences. Brass sections add intensity, while flutes and ethnic instruments infuse global flavour. It's a soundscape-driven experience, transporting listeners without ever leaving their surroundings. Released via Nublu Records, Terceiro Mundo reflects Nomade Orquestra's distinctive approach to Brazilian instrumental music. Their performance, recorded live, captures a raw, almost collage-like energy that defines the album's eclecticism. The title, inspired by third-worldism, mirrors their journey through adversity with a sense of hope and conviction, celebrating their past while looking towards new creative horizons.