New releases last four weeks: Funk

Review: Anorax Records' motto and hash-taggable suggestion is to #eatsleepcollect, as if we weren't doing so already! This time they deliver on the highly anticipated 'Tighten Up' by Melbourne soul collective The Bamboos. First released in 2006 on Kenny Dope and Keb Darge's Kay-Dee label, this instrumental version of Archie Bell & The Drells' 1968 hit quickly became a favourite in soul and acid jazz circles. Rhythm-made by The Bamboos' leader, Lance Ferguson, this one stands out for its vocal absence, offering a quirky, irresistible take.

Review: The first official reissue of Brooklyn People's rare 1975 soul-funk classic 'Peace and Love / Wreck' arrives courtesy of Selector Series for Record Store Day 2025. Originally released on Cheri Records half a century ago, this sought-after 7" has fetched prices of around L50 on the collector's market. It's one of those true crate-digger gems with its perfect mix of soulful, spiritual deepness and driving, dynamic drum grooves that never quit. 'Wreck' has atmospheric crowd sounds as well as jazzy keys and horns to really take things up a notch.

Review: In 1969, Duo Ouro Negro travelled to the US and came back changed. By 1972, they channelled said many cross-country encounters with Black Power politics, spiritual jazz and liberation struggles into Blackground: a bold, pan-African statement recorded not in Luanda but Lisbon. The Angolan duo, already global stars in Portuguese-speaking circuits, were heard fusing jazz-funk with messages of decolonisation and Black identity, summed up in Raul Indipwo's cry: "Don't forget your blackground." A decade later, in 1981, the record was reworked with fresh arrangements and additions like the instrumental 'Iemenja' and the percussion-heavy 'Aruandai'. This new edition from Digei De Bairro brings that fiercely rhythmic and politically charged LP back into circulation, a vital slice of Lusophone jazz-funk with global intent.

Review: Originally hailing from Washington DC, Father's Children were one of the capital's most promising funk outfits in the late 70s. This new 7" reissue on South Street Soul revives two prized tracks from their Mercury Records era, produced by Wayne Henderson of The Crusaders. 'Hollywood Dreaming' is a breezy, rolling slice of mellow soul-funkithe sort of elegant groove that turns up on late-night radio, all gentle clavs and cruising vocals. Flip it and 'Shine On' turns up the energy, driven by a snapping slap bassline, crisp brass jabs and a slick group vocal arrangement. Both cuts originally appeared on their 1979 LP, but the original 45 has long been a holy grail for collectorsifetching triple digits. This reissue not only preserves the format but delivers on fidelity and style, giving DJs and heads alike a long-awaited chance to spin these Washington-grown grooves without fear of shelling out a fortune.

Review: Launching their new 7" series with a bang, Small Edits enlist the shadowy figure of The Groomer for two deep-digging reworks that balance crate knowledge with pure dancefloor funk. On the A-side, 'S.a.d.e' stretches out into a blissed, slow-burn groove with smoky keys, slinky basslines and a gentle swing conjure a mood that's tender, perfect for warm-up sets or late-night wind downs. Flip it over for 'Commo', a swaggering, shoulder-rolling party starter. Tighter, faster and packed with cheeky rhythmic flair, it leans into peak-time territory with percussive funk licks and chopped vocals that radiate attitude. A low-key but high-quality debuticut loud and made for selectors who know.

Review: The enduring electronic musical gene sequence that was Virginia-born pianist and keys player Lonnie Liston Smith's spiritual funk-jazz opus, 'Expansions' from 1974, now hears another re-disco-scription by keyboardist Gail Johnson and her unstoppable band, Jazz In Pink. Renowned for her keytar uplifts and relentless live schedule, this is a rare 12" for the modern genius LA live musician. Her rendition of Smith's 'Expansions' both mellows and sharpens the mood in equal measure, providing a renewed euphony come euphoria. 'Glow' backs up the B-side with a sheeny original, with dramatic phrase stops and trademark peak-out pianos from Gail.

Review: Minnesota's Shaun LaBelle returns with two collaborative cuts that shimmer with West Coast class. On 'Mon Cher Amour', Maysa's effortlessly fluid delivery rides plush piano chords from Bobby Lyle, whose presence elevates the arrangement with vintage jazz-funk elegance. Lyle's involvement i rare and usually reserved i speaks volumes. Flip to 'Your Love Kept Calling My Name', a slower burn that shows off LaBelle's syrupy synth bass and clean guitar touches, anchored again by Maysa, this time joined by Stokley. The track's groove is thick but graceful, helped along by contributions from Jeff Lorber, Patrick Lamb and Maurizio Metalli. While there's a polish that veers towards the adult contemporary side of soul-jazz, both tunes have the kind of melodic strength and studio richness that make sense of their Billboard and UK Soul Chart success.

Review: DJ Paul Sitter is the don of Rostov On Don, a Russian outfit dedicated to supreme, sweatily serious breaks-rap cutups. En large comes 'Cha Cha Cha', with its angular piano hits and wide-panned, cowbell-topped, break-your-back breaks. 'Tambotito' contrasts with an obscurer breakbeat with drum tails whizzing like firecrackers, not to mention a sample of an original Panamanian vocal line hailing from a recording of a song in the titular genre.

Review: Sofian label Soul Dynamite sling a skilful slice over our way, assuring us of the finely appraised editing work of Plovdiv producer Skill. Flat caps, ochre-rimmed glasses and dug crates seem to surround Skill like bees to honey, as the self-professed "pioneer in the purveyance of soulful, funky and jazzy hip-hop" makes evident his own expertise in a monosyllabic name. Two seconds in and we already know that 'Tribute To The Godfather' refers to none other than James Brown; we hear his many rhythm-perfect funk "huhs" striating the a fearsome breaks opener. We conclude on the sax-furloughed 'Danger', which steers hip-hoppier, and sacrifices the original vocals from Brown for an unknown sample source, though the King Of Soul's reign is not lost on it.

Review: A limited red vinyl edition of Sofian producer Skill's skilful 'Tribute To The Godfather', a simple yet effective 7" breaks edit outlining just how much tension and suspense can be fleshed out of a James Brown drum sample. Mr. James Brown, undoubtedly the linchpin of funk, is said to have been so tyrannically dictatorial during recordings that he would fire session drummers in a flash if they were slightly behind. Only a man with gangsta-level gusto could have squeezed this breakbeat out of a young Clyde Stubblefield, signalled by a decided "hit it now" from our sequin-flared compere.

Review: Reggie Soul, aka Reginald Stone, had a brief but impactful recording career that included releasing just three 45 singles on different labels. His debut included the funk track 'I Got Jody' and the soulful 'I Feel So Bad' and his second single, a re-release of 'I Got Jody,' featured the miscredited 'Soul Walkin'.' In 1968, Reggie's third release, 'My World of Ecstasy/Mighty Good Loving' came out on Capri Records and was co-written with the Scott Brother,s who knew how to best showcase Reggie's soulful vocals, as supported by the Scott Brothers' house band. Recently uncovered, these two unreleased tracks, 'So Many Miles Away' and 'Groovy Thang' new fine examples of Reggie's versatility and further solidify his legacy in the soul scene.

Review: Unearthed from the vaults of funk veteran Tim Tucker, this fantastic Got That Energy EP delivers two unreleased boogie gems from the 80s that have been reworked by SoCal DJ and producer Knoe1. A lifelong musician and unsung hero of the scene, Tim always brought raw authenticity, while Knoe1 sharpens the sound for modern dancefloors. Title track 'Got That Energy' is a high-octane ass-shaker packed with punchy bass and irresistible swagger. On the flip, 'Don't Hesitate' slows the pace by blending emotional vocals and synth-soaked soul. This is pure summer heat for a range of different settings.