Back catalogue: Funk

Review: The Moiss Music label seems to like to drop their EPs two at a time. They did it in February and they're doing it again in May. This eighth outing collects four more lively disco cuts, each with their own subtle influences. Berobreo's 'White Rabbit' for instance has funky undertones with loopy guitar riffs and nice breaks. The Magic Track's 'Jamming With Mom' meanwhile is more sensuous and deep, with late-night synth work and seductive vocals. Oldchap's 'I Want To Show You' has an expressive soul vocal with more low-slung grooves and Alexny's 'Not Bad' then gets quick, clipped and loopy for its lip-pouting disco thrills.

Review: Joe Baer Magnant and The Ready bring that sweet sweet soul sound to Funk Night for a tasty 7" packed with good time grooves and a lil dose of the blues. Magnant is an accomplished guitarist who's been striking out on his own more recently, and his chops are in full effect on the heavy-grooving "Honey Stung". There are serious amounts of funk in those drums, and some punch in the brass section, but really this one belongs to Magnant's expressive playing. He's equally compelling on the B-side, which houses more downbeat cut "Orozco's Guarantee".

Review: The story goes that T Funk Collective were formed during lockdown after the wealth of time offered by the anti-pandemic measure allowed Manchester DJ T2Funk to hone and streamline his crate-digging chops - leading naturally to the formation of a collective of producers and turntablists, who now contribute their own modern funk bits to their very own label. 'Since I Fell For You' is a quality, hi-fi instrumental funk number suited for DJs and dancers alike. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything less inhibition-melting for some time.

Review: T. J. Johnson's 'Pretty Lady' is a glorious sweet spot between disco, boogie and funk that came back at the heyday for that sort of sound back in 1982. It's been dug out of the Switch label vaults which was a UK label run out of Lansdowne Studios. T.J. Johnson was a well-versed guitarist also known as T.J. Bedeau and he is still working the gig circuit today. 'Pretty Lady' is a slick and smooth groover with florid horn stabs and the sort of lush vocals that bring the love. 'Come On Let's Do It (Let's Rock)' is more upbeat and strident but just as warm.

Review: Benson's first album since rejoining Warner Music Group earlier this year, it was originally recorded in 1989 but was never released. It features the celebrated composer-arranger Robert Farnon and his orchestra and Farnon's lush arrangements beautifully complement Benson's soulful vocals and fluid guitar work on American standards like 'Autumn Leaves,' 'At Last,' and 'My Romance', as well as reimagined pop classics such as the Beatles' 'Yesterday' and Leon Russell's 'A Song For You.' The album was delayed and subsequently lost until recently rediscovered in Benson's archive and with the help of pianist, composer and arranger Randy Waldman, Benson has revived and remastered the recordings, adding new overdubs and choral arrangements. This release adds a new chapter to Benson's illustrious career, following his tenure with Warner Records from 1976 to 1993, during which he released 12 studio albums, including the triple-platinum Breezin'. Recognised as a jazz master by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) in 2009, Benson continues to be a giant in both jazz and contemporary music.