Review: Busty Brown's early reggae cover of the Temptations' smash hit "My Girl" from 1964 is presented here in all its glory. It's a glorious makeover that has soaring trumpets filled with optimism, deep cut drums that wriggle and rumble nonstop, as well as Brown's buttery, authentic vocals up top. Legendary dub outfit The Upsetters then take care of an instrumental on the flip side that goes a little slower and more purposefully about its business. It's not often that a cover outshines the original but in the case of this one, that might be what's happening here.
Review: Following their first boom-bap flavoured collaboration with Crimson Alchemist, last year's 'Storytelling', Diess Productions regulars Mister Modo and Ugly Mac Beer once again join forces with the underground MC for a similarly retro-futurist hip-hop throwdown. Crimson Alchemist's Q-Tip-esque rap sounds superb on both versions, both of which boast fat, toe-tapping beats and tons of nods towards Mister Modo and Ugly Mac Beer's turntablist roots. The A-side 'Donut Mix' is the slightly bouncier of the two takes, with tidy organ motifs and sweeping synth-strings, while the flipside 'Serious Mix' revolves around some killer horn samples and a descending bassline.
Review: There's a mild Latin theme running across both sides of the latest Big Crown 45". First up Paul Ramous covers cult Latin funk band Mandrill's "Fence Walk" with a surging, urgent sense of soul while on the flip we're taken back to the Bay Area late 60s/early 70s as Afro Blue Persuasion's Ulysses Crockett lays down a laid back, slightly fuzzy freeform vibraphone jam in the form of "Funky Resurgence". Sprightly, light-touched and primed for spring, Big Crown have spoilt us big time here.
Review: Mastered by the legendary Didier from Finnish label Timmion, Detroit's Funk Night bangs out another highly limited dinked 45 for the dirty funk lovers among us. Once again it's another 7 inch from the Fun Shingaling night in Russia. Two artists, two tracks: first up The Snow Surfers serve up a jangly guitar stomper with drum heavy organ funk and an incessant bass groove. On the flip, United Boppers Unit's "R&B" is aided by an infectious raw piano and more of that jangly guitar.
Impeach The President (UB instrumental mix) (4:19)
Review: Nubian Crackers member The Undercover Brother (AKA veteran Queens, New York-based beat-maker Victor Piagneri) fires up his U.B.'s project and delivers another taster for the forthcoming "Ultimate Covers w/Breaks" LP. On the A-side you'll find his instrumental interpretation of Frederick Knight cut "Uphill Peace Of Mind", a heavy, stripped-back revision rich in killer drum breaks, Red Hot Chili Peppers style funk-rock guitars and life-affirming piano solos. Turn to the flip for Piagneri's vocal-free version of The Honey Drippers' 1973 anti-Nixon anthem "Impeach The President". He allows the track's much-sampled opening drum break a little more room to breathe, before carefully layering up Hammond organ riffs and a snaking saxophone solo that effectively replaces the original vocals.
Review: First released on green vinyl in 2008 and almost impossible to find since, "Synthetic Substitution" is an instrumental cover version of a celebrated Melvin Gill tune by The Undercover Brother, AKA Kenny Dope collaborator Victor Piagneri. The A-side "Instrumental Mix" re-creates the original version's famous groove, layering it with Clavinet lines, fluid pianos and spacey synth solos not evident on Gill's early '70s original. Arguably even better is the "Melody Mix", which adds in some fine George Benson style jazz guitar solos while retaining the familiar breakbeats, bassline and pianos. If you missed out first time around, we'd recommend copping a copy.
Review: The archives of Estonian artist Uku Kuut continue to prove fertile stomping ground for the PPU label, with this latest transmission drawing from unreleased material he recorded with his mother Maryn Coote. Coote is quite an established musician in her own right, recording a couple of albums as Marju Kuut, as well as collaborating with compatriot Uno Loop and it's clear her musical background helped shape Uku's formative direction. If you've partaken in any previous Kuut retrospectives from PPU, the four tracks here will be a real delight, with "Mayday" and "Dreamboy 84" particular highlights. The former is an alternate tape mix of a track from the Vision Of Estonia LP issued by the label back in 2012, whilst the latter features Marju's vocals in full swing.
Review: Theoretically there will come a point where People's Potential Unlimited runs out of obscure funk and boogie from the eighties. And that day will be a very dark one, as every release from the Washington based label is a real delight, with PPU030 no exception. Originally out way back in 1983 on LA imprint Montage, "Give It Up" sees Ultimate Choice plough a decidedly p-funk slant on boogie and it would take a veritable curmudgeon to not be hooked as soon as that tight funk riff drops. It's the sort of track you feel right in your hips, is rough around the edges and has a killer vocal hook. Flip over the stripped down rump pump of "It's Hot" with a rhythm that sounds like it's been sampled more than a few times!
Review: Another killer issue from the 5 Borough Breaks crew, unearthing yet another classic hip hop anthem rarely seen on 45. Taking it back to 1989, Ultimate Force's "I'm Not Playing" catches a young Diamond D in full flow over a looped blues lick. Famed for its appearance on Shadow & Cut Chemist's "Brainfreeze" mix, the original 45 will set you back a hefty sum. As always, flip it over for the original sample source - step up Blues master Albert King's "Cold Feet".
Review: Croatian producer Umbo makes a raucous return to Breakbeat Paradise with this two-tracker of throwback funk edits. A-side 'No Sugar' is a no-nonsense breakbeat soul cut, filtering vintage vocal hooks through crisp drums and rubbery basslines. On the flip, 'Saoco Root' cranks the tempo and energy, fusing jazzy brass, hype vocals and Beastie Boys swagger into a fast-cutting party tool. A continuation of BBP's long-running Toxic Funk series, this latest volume slots right into the label's wheelhouse: dusty, high-energy edits with bite.
Review: It has been a while since Umbo released any new music but now he is back on the Austrian label Resense with a superb pair of edits on this essential little 45 rpm. Kicking things off is 'Grits' which is a hard hitting bit of b-boy funk and breaks with old school soul vocals and plenty of horn stabs powering it ever onwards and upwards. '23h' is a little more seductive but no less busy with tightly woven bongos and congas peppering the high speed funk groove. Fantastic stuff that we hope is the start of much more to come from edit king Umbo.
Review: New London reissue label Zel Zele launches with a reissue of a 'holy grail' by Umit Aksu Orkestrasi - a band formed by Turkish pianist, composer and arranger Umit Aksu. Originally released in 1975, Bermuda Seytan Ucgeni is an outstanding experimentation of forward-thinking jazz-funk, played by some of Turkey's most talented musicians. On the A side," Bermuda Seytan Ucgeni" is the sound of the '70's at its finest featuring a roaring horn section. Experience the uplifting vibes of "Bogazici Koprusu" on the flip, which is reminiscent of old Italian library recordings, as described by the label.
The Umoza Music Project - "Down By The Beach" (3:05)
Woodfield Rd Allstars - "Ghetto Guitar" (4:25)
Review: The crucial Original Gravity label is busy this month with three red hot new 7"s all dropping in quick succession. The top-notch funk crew has this spilt 7" from Umoza Music Project and The Woodfield Road Allstars up here on limited wax. The a-side is a sunny bit of original rousing 70s reggae direct from the islands. Backing vocalists provide plenty of butter while the lead laments a love lost and the rhythm rolls on. On the back side is a much more stoner-paced and funk drenched laidback instrumental with Balearic guitar licks that look to the stars as organ chords warm you through and the rocksteady rhythm gently sways to and fro. Two gems for sure.
Review: Brooklyn troupe Underground System comes correct with this awesome doublet. One vocal, one instrumental... Both total homages to the Fela Kuti legacy. "Bella Ciao" references a classic Latin anti-war song over a thumping Afrobeat hook that's home to a series of bright, tight guitars and subtle instrumentation in the background. "DON", meanwhile, fuses electronic elements with sounds that manage to scream Rio and Lagos instantly. Strutting with a luxuriously simple bassline, the horns cast serious spells countered by the positivity of highlife guitars. Ciao for now.
The Unemployed - "Funky Thing" (part 1 - Professor Shorthair remix) (4:24)
Lee Dorsey - "Occapella" (Professor Shorthair remix) (3:26)
Review: Somewhat predictably, this double-dose of party-hearty Professor Shorthair remixes is as colourful and vibrant as the purple marbled vinyl seven-inch onto which the tracks are pressed. On side A he does his thing with The Unemployed's rugged 1970 funk-rock jam "Funky Thing", beefing up the beats for modern dancefloors while adding a choice selection of scratched-in samples. Arguably even better is his rework of Lee Dorsey's "Occapella", a sweet, lo-slung groover that gets re-cast as a dubbed-out chunk of hazy, bass-heavy hip-hop soul rich in echo-laden vocal snippets, snatches of rap and hazy horns. As Dorsey's vocal says, it's "finger-snapping good"!
Review: Previously spotted passing hands for well over L200, "Unit's Groove" was the band's first single. Released in 1983, it was followed by one album and one further single, which is criminal considering how tight and creative they were. "Unit's Groove" is instant party business with dense layers of percussion, vibrant guitar splashes and a vocal call to action that shift the dead. "Hand In Hand" show the bands more emotional side with heartfelt balladry and heavenly harmonies.
Tony Alvon & The Belairs - "Sexy Coffee Pot" (2:27)
Review: After much work, Berlin-based reissue label Matasuna Records is finally able to fully and officially reissue these funk classics. After so many bootlegged versions of these it is great to have a high-quality vinyl pressing on nice loud 7". Both of these legendary funk tunes come from the vast vaults of Atlantic Records and have never had their own standalone releases before. On 'Getting Uptown (To Get Down)' United 8 cook up infectious sounds and mix up horns, guitars, drums and bass while on the flip 'Sexy Coffee Pot' from 'Tony Alvon & The Belairs' is an explosion of raw funk energy.
Review: Universal Cave set out on a brand new cosmic spelunk. Flipping a pair of raucous Latin disco pancakes on a searing summer lowrider bonnet (in lieu of a non-stick pan), these free-range disco ovules pack much underfoot promise for the discerning dancefloor. The Philly collective kicks things off with the spry 'So Soft So Sweet', with an elusively sourced sing-along hook, blazing synth-gasms, and impulsive drums. 'Mishugina Mambo', on the other hand, gleans its inspirations from the classic Sofrito Specials series: bold horns fly in the face of relentless percs, urging everyone and your mother to get moving.
Review: The Symphonical label has absolutely no care for starting off slow and pacing themselves. This release by 9-piece Wisconsin outfit Upheaval is nothing short of a musical miracle. First of all, all of the members were behind jail bars when it was recorded, and hardly any of them had professional music training prior to its recording. In any case, 1979's "Come On With The Come On" is just about as funky, soulful and weird as you can get, and it will surely appeal to the more studious of diggers out there. On the flip, "TLC" is softer, more loving, but still contains that inherent grit that wraps these songs together. They were, after all, recorded with whatever was available in the pound.
Review: For the second salvo in their "loud cut series", the Harlem Shuffle label has raided the vaults of Lee 'Scratch' Perry's legendary studio band, "The Upsetters". On the A-side you'll find "Popcorn" from 1970's "Eastwood Rides Again" album, a hard-edged, Ska-era rhythm & blues rump-shaker that sounds like a Jamaican take on James Brown. The flipside plays host to "Tight Spot", a dubbed-out reggae riddim over which tight saxophone riffs ascend impressively while deejay/singer/mic man attempts to get the dance going with some choice words and phrases. Like the A-side, it's a genuine dancefloor workout.
Review: In 2002, New York producer Ursula 1000 released his groundbreaking, genre-busting album Kinda' Kinky, meshing groovy retro sampladelic licks with modern breaks and beats. For its 20th anniversary this year, Ursula revisits the 60's swinging London mod shaking title track with his own 2022 redux. UK breakbeat master A.Skillz remixes the flipside into a relentless, giggling funky disco monster! The cover design is by world renowned space-age bachelor pad artist Shag.
Review: The fledgling Fossils label comes through with its fourth EP, this time in the form of a steamy 45rpm from UV & Nenor, the latter of which was behind the label's last release. That EP was full of edits and reworks and this one is another potent disco fusion with plenty of Aston American influences. And that should be no surprise given the title of the A-side is 'Bahia' after the northeastern Brazilian state. It's a lively rhythm with bird calls and whistles, vocal chanting and heavily percussive and loose-limbed rhythms. 'Goombay' is similar but with smeared and searching synth leads and plenty of tropical heat packed into the mix.
Review: UV & Nenor have been on a hot streak of late with great outings on the likes of the Fossils label and now they keep it up with a red hot new drop on the brand new Ma Ze label. This tidy 7" packs a punch with two jams that will work the floor. The first is a slow motion but irresistible dub-disco fusion with squelchy bass and nice colourful, warm, gooey chords with vocals from Ranking Levy. On the flip is 'Tookey', a futuristic electro vocoder jam that comes to life with vivid synths circling round the mix and an unusual sense of swing. From laid back session at home to steamy club use, both of these are useful jams.
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