Back catalogue: Funk

Review: ,Joe Bataan has been busy in East L.A. with Orquesta Rene for this new Latin jazz double 7" courtesy of Steady Beat. It features four all new pieces drenched in soul and percussion, starting with 'So Fine' (feat Big Sandy), a mid tempo groove with vocal longing and languid horns. 'Mestizo' is a more steamy and intimate piece with sung-spoken lyrics and glowing, golden chords. 'Mom & Dad' (feat Claudia Lennear) has s steamy shuffle to its rhythms and classic Latin percussive sounds next to a call and response vocal and 'Time After Time' closes with a sentimental feel.

Review: The third volume of the AfroColombia Remix series merges African and Colombian sounds with contemporary electronica. It's a collaboration between Colombian labels Galletas Calientes and Palenque Records that celebrates Palenque's 20+ years of activism and Galletas Calientes' two-decade legacy while honouring the late Abelardo Carbono with a remix of his track 'La PiNa Madura' by Voilaaa - it's a standout here with hints of funk, soul and disco all bringing the sunshine. The compilation also reinterprets Nigerian Igbo Highlife and Ekobe music thanks to producers Captain Planet, Uproot Andy and Caribombo. They bring new, funky energy to timeless classics while preserving the original cultural essence.

Review: Tower Vinyl is very quickly becoming one of our favourite labels. its current run of releases is absolutely top notch and focuses on vintage soul sounds from across a wide spectrum. This latest 7" as part of the Free Soul series comes from Odessey whose 'Battened Ships' has big brass, funky drums and lots of killer guitar lines and rich bass, all topped with heartfelt vocals. The wonderful Terry Callier and is unique ones then bring jazz and soul stylings to the bouncy 'Ordinary Joe' on the flip.

Review: Blissful boogie reissue from Junko Ohashi, whose 7-inch promo for 'Dancin' here functioned as the promo material for the 1983 album 'Point Zero'. Sounding just as rough, farty and raw as its original LP cut, the track is a perfect example of what Japan brought to disco - blending it largely with city pop - at the time. 'In Your Lovin', as it did on the original album, brings up the B-side with a downer-tempo funk beat, and a lyrical subject dealing with a romanticized, ideal lover.

Review: In 1985, Isy Martin Jr. released 'Rug Burns' and it became a low-key disco stepping classic. Now, Prime Time Records and Tapes has secured the rights and presents this official repress featuring that cut on the A-side so you no longer have to play high prices on the second-hand market. As well as that fresh bit of ass-shaking and funky dancefloor fun, the label has pressed a special re-do of 'Rug Burns' featuring XL Middleton and Zackey Force Funk on the B-side. It's a slightly more contemporary boogie-down sound with the same original vocal charms.

Review: This is another fine addition to the Four Flies 45 series: it is a first-ever 7" taken from one of the few soundtracks that legendary producer and composer Paolo Ormi ever wrote (namely a rather underwhelming parody of Woody Allen's Play It Again, Sam). He is best known for his mix of Italian funk, disco and library music, both for underground labels but also stars like Raffaella Carra. All three of the instrumentals here are seriously funky - two of them have actually been put out before as part of this label's hard-to-find compilations Esterno Notte and Esterno Giorno.

Review: Record Shack unearth two tunes from the vaults of Austrian public broadcasting institution ORF, available for the very first time on officially released 7" record. Pressed using only the strictest high-grade equipment, the flame of soul soprano Stefanie Vhynak's 'Feelin' It' is rekindled with a rejuvenative flair: the Viennese singer cut her teeth in the USA before her return to her birthplace, where she was discovered and subsequently enjoyed a longstanding career. Though her stint with the Austrian Broadcasting Company was short-lived, it could still be argued that Stefanie's rep of contributions to the broadcaster lie among her best. The exigency of radio is paramount to good songcraft, which is why there are two versions of 'Feelin' It' here; the first of which lays down the centrality of the song's lyrics via pared-backbeat and muted funk, and the latter pulling the pull ring on the sonic grenade, allowing a full-throttle vocal and instrumental amour to explode.

Review: This new 7" offers the chance to discover unearthed killer tunes from the vaults of the Austrian Public Broadcasting Institution (ORF), which officially appear on wax here for the first now time. Stefanie & ORF Big Band are behind 'Compared To What', a hard-hitting funk cut with lo-fi aesthetics and big horns. The flip side version is a subtle tweak with just as much energy. These tracks are pressed in top audio quality as they have been sourced directly from the archive master recordings. This release is a strictly limited edition so do not sleep.

Review: This 7" is a reissue of one that first dropped back in July and soon sold out but with two extra cuts. It offered a rare chance to discover hidden gems from the Austrian Public Broadcasting Institution (ORF) vaults which were all vinyl debuts in summer. This gatefold double 7" kicks off with Stefanie & ORF Big Band's 'Compared to What,' a hard-hitting funk track featuring lo-fi vibes and powerful horns. The A-2 offers a subtly tweaked version, maintaining the same high energy. 'Feelin' It' then comes on the flipside with big brass leads, deep-cut drums and a stirring, emotive female vocal lead. A second alternative is also featured.

Review: Les Cigales, the latest release from The Offline, draws deep inspiration from the cinematic scores of the 1960s and 70s, influenced by composers like Francois de Roubaix and David Axelrod. The EP offers a mix of lush, atmospheric sounds, blending psychedelic tones with retro soul and hip-hop elements. The music weaves a narrative inspired by the love story of Gyptis and Protis, the mythical founders of Marseille, reflecting themes of longing and breaking societal norms. Following his 2023 album La Couleur de la Mer, which was a soundtrack to an imagined film, The Offlineihelmed by composer and photographer Felix Mullericontinues his evocative storytelling. The music evokes dreamlike imagery: fog-drenched villas by the sea, shadowy sailboats, and nefarious villains. Each track brims with cinematic flair, from intense drama to tender romanticism. The Offline project was born after Muller's travels along the Atlantic coast of southern France, where he captured beach life on film, later turning his visual experiences into music. With support from the likes of BBC 6Music's Huey Morgan and Deb Grant, the project has built a loyal following and continues to charm listeners with its immersive, nostalgic soundscapes.

Review: A lesser-known but electrifyingly slick city pop record (her fourth) by Junko Ohashi. 1979's Full House hears the Japanese singer's graceful but powerful contralto in full collaborative force, paired against the historic instrumental talents of her backing band, Minoya Central Station. Perhaps second only to Ohashi's timeless New York paean, Magical, Full House is yet another discographic dazzler that most likely contributed to the revival of the city pop genre after its retroactive but no less ironic recognition in the popular music sphere by the vaporwave subgenre, future funk. The mood throughout Full House is vital and joyful, suggesting something close to complete emotional fulfilment and idealistic glee on the singer's part - all part of the city pop's objective - its grand plan - to portray metropolitan life as an ultimate ideal.

Review: Legendary US funk practitioners the Ohio Played are as well known for the erotic nature of many of their album covers as they are for their super sleazy funk sounds. They never really go out of fashion which is why so many of them are always getting reissued. Ouch! is next up with a special Ruby Red Milestone Anniversary Edition on limited edition and marbled red vinyl to mark the fact it is now 40 years old. It's an upbeat and diverse mix of funk sounds that draws influence from the world of jazz and soul and pairs swooning strings with lush melodies and catchy grooves that still energise any dancefloor.

Review: The reissue of Oneness Of Juju's 1976 album Space Jungle Luv stands as a crucial addition to the Black Fire Records reissue series. When James "Plunky" Branch founded Oneness Of Juju in 1975, he had already spent years engulfed in the vibrant jazz scenes of both coasts. The group, previously known as Juju, was deeply rooted in New York's avant-garde jazz scene. However, upon relocating to Richmond, Virginia, Plunky gathered a fresh ensemble, blending African rhythms with funk and r&b. This lineup produced two of their most acclaimed albums, African Rhythms and Space Jungle Luv. This era marked the band's peak, with Space Jungle Luv embodying a shift towards a more serene, spiritual sound. The album showcases Lady Eka-Ete's enchanting vocals and guitarist Melvin Glover's celestial tones. Plunky's vision for this record was influenced by artists like Pharoah Sanders, aiming to deliver a message of spiritual upliftment through "space music, jungle music, love songs." Tracks like 'River Luvrite' and 'Follow Me' explore themes of unity and exploration.

Review: Following 2012's fourth volume that celebrated the existential work of Tim Maia, here we find Luaka Bop exploring the legacy of William Onyeabor. A high chief and Kenyan diplomat who allegedly refuses to discuss his music, he self-released eight albums in the 70s and 80s and these are some of the many highlights. Stretching from the New York-influenced post-punk synth funk of "Good Name" to the most authentic Afro fusion of "Why Go To War", Onyeabor's range not only reflects his clear creative skill, but also the ever-developing international language of music during the fruitful period he was active. Who is William Onyeabor? Press play and find out yourselves...

Review: Reel People Music expands the fizzing dynamic between highly accomplished label associates Opolopo (AKA Peter Major) and Angela Johnson with the release of their brand new album Best of Both Worlds. The nine-track record is an impressive merging of soulful souls, building on the pair's previous 'track-by-track' collaborative approach, and calling on influences from Quincy Jones to The Isley Brothers. From the twizzling decrescendos of Buffalo, which hears the pair summon the bruk maestro Kaidi Tatham on recording and co-prod duties, to the sparkly, sparky whetstone electro-disco track 'The Ones You Love', we really do get the best of both worlds here; we get nine worlds, in fact.

Review: Even by the consistently high standards of Analog Africa, this release is something special. It consists entirely of previously unheard music by Orchestre Abass, an obscure outfit from Togo who released a handful of singles on Polydor Ghana in the early 1970s. Remarkably, all bar one of the tracks on "De Bassari Togo" were found on a long forgotten reel of tape that had sat on a shelf in a Ghanaian warehouse for the best part of 35 years. That was ten years ago; it's taken that long to track down the remaining members of the band and license the material. In truth, the tracks have aged exceptionally well, with the band's infectious, organ-led sound adding distinct Arabic influences (a result of the band members' time spent studying in Islamic schools) to their heavy funk rhythms and riotous Afro-funk vibes.

Review: Colemine Records is reissuing Orgone's 2008 classic Bacano on vinyl for the first time, here exclusively for Black Friday RSD 2024. Known for their raw, organic California soul, Orgone's music grabs you by the collar and pulls you to the dance floor. The band's journey began in the San Fernando Valley, where two friends, united by their love for gritty 60s and 70s soul, drew inspiration from the vibrant music scene in Los Angeles during the late 90s. This collaboration ignited a movement, and Orgone has since become a key player in delivering timeless funk for music lovers.

Review: Orgone is back in California and coming in hot with Chimera, a fire-breathing spectacle of psychedelic Afro-soul. Produced by Sergio Rios (Neal Francis, Say She She), Chimera is an electrifying, dream-like odyssey, tripping through the hazy swamps of New Orleans, weaving textures of entrancing voodoo soul, thrumming Afro-funk, and stoney psyche-rock. Taking its name from a mythical beast with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent, Chimera conjures a state that is at once trance-like and heart-poundingly exciting. For instance: the album opens like a heady puff of smoke in the face with 'Hallowed Dreams,' drawing the listener into a state where reality blurs and the music takes control. Chimera will delight fans of early Orgone while showcasing the band's effortless and endless ability to shape-shift. It's an electrifying, mesmerizing record sure to exceed expectations and keep the listener rapt.

Review: A year shy of its 40th anniversary, Inspiration Information enjoys a reissue and it's still as sparkly and soul-laden as it was in 1974. Ranging from the guitar-twanging smoky blues funk of "Rainy Day" to the sultry, strutting title track, it's largely regarded as Otis's most comprehensive work of that time. According to legend it took him three years to create... 39 years later and it still sounds as good as this? We'd say that's time well spent!

Review: In the encyclopedia entry for psychedelic soul you're sure to find some mention of Shuggie Otis, and this is the album that cemented his sound. 'Strawberry Letter 23' is undoubtedly Otis' 'Albatross', a universally adored anthem that ploughs a furrow straight to the heart, but it grows in stature even more when you hear it in context on the 1971 album it was first released on. With George Duke lending his inimitable touch on keys amongst the ensemble of players, this is a true treasure of funk and soul with the spark of inspiration to look beyond genre conventions. Beyond the big hit, this is an album of abundant riches which rightly gets a repressing to reaffirm Otis' status as a legend in a league of his own making.

Review: London soul heavies Output/Input channel the spirit of their influences on their debut vinyl LP Forward Motion, hadron-colliding a recognizable topoi of soul and funk, and bringing all these influences together rather convincingly despite having recorded each track separately, and remotely across mulitple continents. A diverse and international group, we hear the full-bodied, co-operative vocals of Antonio McLendon, Audrey Wheeler-Downing, Brent Carter and Katie Holmes-Smith collide in an unstoppable rotation of the limelight. Meanwhile, the album remains dominated by its session artists, delivering the tightest of tight backbones and melodious acoutrements.

Review: The Middle East has always invoked a sense of wonder and escapism, even if a singular tag for a vast and varied global region is an instant disservice. So it's not much of a surprise to find many countries currently in the throes of an explosive rediscovery of psychedelic sounds. Ouzo Bazooka is just one example of the kind of bands we're talking about. Originally solo project from Uri Brauner Kinrot - a musician, scientist and producer - the vehicle quickly grew into the fully fledged group we have loved over the last five albums and ten years, give or take. Widely considered pioneers of the burgeoning scene, Kapaim (Hebrew for 'palms') cements their status as a cut above most psyche rock bands anywhere on the planet. Informed by jazz, soul, blues, and indigenous musical traditions of the South Eastern Mediterranean, it's a smooth and intoxicating ride.