Review: At the time of his passing in 2017, the late, great soul star Leon Ware was working on a new album with long-time collaborator Taylor Graves. Although he never finished it, Be With has decided to put together a final posthumous album that contains the five songs he finished for the set - which, impressively, include cameos from the likes of Kamasi Washington and Thundercat - and six cuts from an obscure, Japan-only CD from 2013. It's a wonderful listen from start to finish, with the Latin-tinged soul-jazz of "For The Rainbow", the head-nodding boogie business of "Sigh" and the synth-laden, strangely swung brilliance of "Are You Ready" amongst the highlights.
A Real Mother For Ya (Ben Liebrand Oldskool mix - bonus track) (3:20)
Review: Johnny "Guitar" Watson's 1977 funk album, A Real Mother For Ya, solidified his status as a master of the genre. Known for his exceptional guitar skills, Watson's album produced the international hit title track along with standout songs like 'Nothing Left To Be Desired' and 'Lover Jones.' This reissue also includes the 2020 Ben Liebrand Oldskool mix as a bonus track, adding a fresh perspective to Watson's timeless funk sound. Throughout his career, Watson influenced countless artists, including Jimi Hendrix, and earned a Grammy nomination for best contemporary blues album. Tragically, Watson passed away while touring Japan in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and groove. A Real Mother For Ya remains a standout example to Watson's musical genius. Available on black vinyl, this reissue ensures that Watson's electrifying sound continues to engage audiences for generations to come.
David Nathan - "Ain't Nothing Like The Love" (unreleased version) (4:03)
Billy Cole Aka Winston Francis - "Smile" (3:41)
Glen Missick & Lovespiration - "Message In Our Music" (2:50)
Sass - "Do It" (3:23)
The Harden Brothers - "Deep Inside Of You" (4:29)
Don Scott - "Love With Me" (2:54)
Jack Sass Band - "Where Is The Love (You Promised Me)" (2:56)
Review: After a series of exceptional singles, SOL Discos fire up the album engine for the very first time with this fantastic exploration of modern soul from the late 70s to early 80s. Curated by label founder Waxist, Message In Our Music features numerous exclusive reissues and unreleased cuts; David Nathan's swooning take on "Ain't Nothing Like The Love", The Harden Brothers' silky smooth "Deep Inside Of You" and the vital up-tempo positivity of Don Scott's "Love With Me" are just a handful of essentials on this immaculate collection. Complete with detailed notes, pictures and quotes from the original artists, SOL Discos have created something genuinely special here.
Review: This is the unreleased soundtrack from Bartleby, the British drama film from 1970 directed by Anthony Friedman. It was an adaptation of the short story Bartleby, the Scrivener; A Story of Wall-street by Herman Melville. The plot revolved around the young audit clerk Bartleby, who as a result of being overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life withdraws into his own world. 31 years later, there was another remake directed by Jonathan Parker, with Crispin Glover in the lead role. Sound wise, it is a' blissful mix of British pastoral jazz and serious drum, double bass and string action'.
A Little More Love (Sol Power All-Stars extended dub) (6:22)
Review: Trinidad's Wild Fire was a popular local group that formed in the 70s and disbanded in 1985. They amassed plenty of varied tunes after their name change from the Sparks, a name they had as far back as 1962. They were a house band at clubs like Disco Tracks and Upper Level so knew how to get a party going with their hot mix of Caribbean sounds, disco and funk. This Dance Hits album is a great collection of their more dance-friendly material. Some are slow burners like 'Check It Out' which brings racial issues to the fore and the more sunny funkers like 'The Rebels.'
Review: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild Magnolias' debut album, Decca Records from France is releasing a special vinyl box set that pays tribute to these legendary recordings. This limited-edition 3LP collection includes the two original Barclay albumsiThe Wild Magnolias and They Call Us Wildialongside four bonus tracks and two previously unreleased remixes. This beautiful set is presented on 140gm vinyl, is housed in a lift-off lid box that features the original album artwork for the first two LPs. Fans and collectors alike will appreciate this carefully curated release, which not only revisits the groundbreaking work of the Wild Magnolias but also adds fresh content to their storied legacy. The collaboration between Willie Tee, the New Orleans Project, and the commanding vocals of Bo Dollis brought the soulful energy of New Orleans to life, and these recordings remain some of the most dynamic and cherished representations of that spirit, even five decades later.
Review: Time Is The Answer is an undeniable Island Funk-Soul classic from Wildfire that now gets its first ever official reissue on vinyl. It was originally self-released back in 1980 on their own self titled label and now comes on nice heavyweight vinyl, which is just what it deserves. The band was well known in their day as leaders in their field thanks to famous performances all across Trinidad, Tobago, the Caribbean, US Virgin Islands and French Guadeloupe. The dropped four albums in all and plenty of top-selling singles and this one is one of the best - a fine mix of funk, soul and disco with glorious grooves and magical melodies as well as buttery smooth vocals.
Review: Shina Williams' first album from 1979, African Dances, marked the moment where the Nigerian afrobeat artist would team up with 'His African Percussionists', to form one of the most sought-after sounds of the next decade. Taking inspiration from the Master Of Ceremonies, Fela Kuti, this album is just as loose and evocative as the legend's, and perhaps even a little more oriented towards the disco end of the spectrum. "Cunny Jam Wayo" is a classic afrobeat march, with its rolling drums popping off left, right and centre, while "Agboju Logun" offers a softer funk ride, and "Gboro Mi Ro" lifts the soul at the final moments with a truly memorable string of brass instruments and vocals. Cop this, not the L300+ original..!
Review: Most people only know Washington, DC band The Winstons for the thing: the righteous drum break from their single 'Amen, Brother', which over the past four decades has become the backbone of countless hip-hop, breakbeat hardcore amd drum & bass tunes. That killer cut is not only featured on this much-needed first vinyl reissue of the band's long out of print 1969 debut album, Color Him Father - a genuinely brilliant collection of emotive soul songs - but, on this limited-edition version, also included in specially extended form on a bonus, dubplate-style single-sided 12-inch. This fully remastered version of the set also includes four extra tracks, all previously issued as singles, making it the definitive version of a vitally important album.
Review: Zamrock, anyone? Often stylised as W.I.T.C.H, WITCH were one of the leading musical lights of post-colonial Zambia, a band that rose to prominence during the early-1970s, a particularly fertile period in the East African nation during which hopes for the future were incredibly bright. Independence leading to the blossoming of homespun ideas, culture, art and creativity. The story takes a tragic turn as the decade reached its final years, the economy collapsing and policymakers turning increasingly authoritarian. Like many in the 'scene', WITCH would fade, almost into obscurity, although the psychedelic rock-hued legacy they left survived, and then experienced a resurgence from 2012, when they reformed amid renewed interest. Kuomboka represents the group at the height of their fame, an album that still sounds packed with optimism, despite insidious changes in the air when it landed in 1976.
Review: This record was thought to have been lost until recently re-discovered. Recorded in the 1970s and has been loving remasters from the original tapes here and pressed onto heavyweight wax. This collection features some heavily sampled tunes such as 'Funkanova' which has been pillaged by the likes of Black Science Orchestra, DJ Sneak and The Bucketheads. It also has a famous rendition of the Ronnie Laws jewel 'Always There'. Wood, Brass & Steel members include the likes of Doug Winbush who went on to play with the Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash.
Get Loose (feat Dr Syntax & Professor Elemental) (2:29)
Watch Me Walk (feat Carys Abigail) (3:14)
Gimme Soul (3:15)
Bap Bap (2:39)
Love Inside (3:10)
Talkin' (2:33)
Review: X-Ray Ted's debut album, Moving On, is a tremendous journey through the realms of Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, and Breaks. With meticulous attention to detail and a keen ear for hidden musical treasures, X-Ray Ted delivers a collection that seamlessly blends vintage sounds with modern flair. From the infectious guitar riffs to the irresistible beats, each track on the album exudes an infectious energy that is guaranteed to get listeners moving on the dancefloor. What truly sets Moving On apart is the stellar lineup of collaborators, including hip-hop luminaries like Afrika Baby Bam and Fullee Love, as well as the soulful vocals of Carys Abigail. Together, they create a musical tapestry that effortlessly bridges the gap between retro vibes and contemporary beats, offering listeners a timeless experience that celebrates the rich history of music while embracing the future.
Like We Used To Do (feat I, Ced & Moniquea) (4:33)
Review: If you think you know a cooler cat and more brilliant boogie producer than XL Middleton right now then you're lying. His Tap Water very much set that reparation in motion when it arrived back in 2016 right when modern funk was making a comeback thank to Dam Funk et al. It's a hard to find original that still stands up and now it has been followed up by a second volume of brilliantly squelch analogue funk, dazzling boogie baselines, lush sci-fi chords and retro future fills, vocals and hooks.
Review: In 2002, the Japanese government recognized bamboo flute maestro Hozan Yamamoto as a "living national treasure". It was in honor of his lengthy career in music, and in particular the way he championed a traditional Japanese instrument even when he was turning his hand to Western music. "Beautiful Bamboo Flute", an album first released in 1971 and almost impossible to find since, is a superb example of this. It sees him deliver haunting, emotional and life-affirming solos over funky jazz, big band and fusion backing tracks that tend towards the fresh and funky. It's an unusual blend, but also an invigorating and exciting one.
Review: Unlike previous instalments in the 180g label's Wamono series, this isn't a compilation in the strictest sense of the term, but rather a retrospective. It showcases a range of killer jazz-funk and rare groove tunes recorded at Nippon Columbia studios in the mid 1970s by arranger Kiyoshi Yamaya, koto legend Toshiko Yonekawa and shakahuchi master Kifu Mitsuhashi. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the mellow, slow-burn lusciousness of 'Nanbu Ushioi-Uta' and the up-beat, guitar solo-laden brilliance of 'Hohai-Bushi', to the all-time Japanese jazz-funk classic that is 'Saitaro-Bushi' and the solo-laden brilliance of 'Asadoya Yunti', whose dazzling Fender Rhodes solos are reminiscent of the early '70s work of the late, great Billy Preston.
Review: The EP Lagos Paris London by Yannis & The Yaw, featuring the late Tony Allen, is a testament to the powerful creative synergy between two musical luminaries. Initially envisioned as a nostalgic Afrobeat project, the collaboration took on a life of its own, weaving together elements of rock, funk, jazz, and dub in a dynamic fusion. Recorded over a series of sessions in a Paris studio, the music emerged organically from jams and loops, guided by the intuitive telepathy between Yannis Philippakis and Tony Allen. Joined by Allen's regular collaborators, the result is a collection of near-complete songs imbued with high-spirited, loose-grooved exuberance. Despite facing challenges such as scheduling issues and Covid restrictions, Yannis felt a deep obligation to complete the project in honor of Allen's memory and his desire to share the music with the world. Lagos Paris London serves as both a celebration of their friendship and a timeless testament to the enduring influence of Tony Allen's rhythmic talent.
Review: Released in the wake of Tony Allen's death, Lagos Paris London is the latest full-length record by Foals' Yannis Philippakis in collaboration with the late great drumming legend. The Yannis And the Yaw project finally emerges after years of fan-teasers revealing Philippakis to have been working with the acclaimed Fela Kuti bandmate and Afrobeat pioneer in the studio; after Allen's death in 2023, the likes of 'Walk Through Fire' and 'Lagos Paris London' effortlessly blend the sounds of Afrobeat and post-punk, bridging the spirits of each while unexpectedly swerving from the duo's initial impulse to produce a nostalgic record.
Review: Although born and raised in Holland, the duo behind the Yin Yin project "make music for an imaginary tropical Island" based "somewhere between the Netherlands and South East Asia". It's an apt description of their undeniably humid, wide-eyed style, which variously combines elements of surf-rock, dub, psychedelia, ambient, electronica, spaced-out synth-pop and various traditional South East Asian musical tropes. It's a style that makes this long promised debut album a unique, distinctive and hugely vibrant listening experience. While inventive and colourful, their music is also largely dancefloor friendly and highly addictive. In other words, this is one debut album that's well worth picking up.
Review: 'Linear Labs: Sao Paulo' on vinyl offers a deep dive into Adrian Younge's masterful blend of analog textures and global influences. Featuring unreleased gems from projects like 'Something About April III' and Snoop Dogg's 'Don't Cry for the Devil', this LP brings together a rich array of soundsifrom Brazilian samba with Samantha Schmutz to ALA.NI's Parisian jazz and Bilal's soul-infused tracks. The album resonates with Younge's signature analog warmth and forward-thinking production. Pressed on vinyl, this release is an essential piece for collectors and fans of psychedelic soul and genre-defying music.
Review: Adrian Younge and A Tribe Called Quest man Ali Shaheed Muhammad's recently released "Jazz Is Dead" album had the feel of a landmark set: a collection of inspired, all-star workouts that combined live, hip-hop style beats with the effervescent musicality of soundtrack jazz, soul, jazz-funk and Latin jazz. This speedy sequel flips the script, stripping back the guest list to a single guest collaborator: jazz-funk and fusion legend Roy Ayers. From start to finish, the set bristles with sweet female group vocals, mazy Vibraphone solos, ultra-warm electric piano, hybrid hip-hop/jazz-funk beats, and Ayers' effortless musical positivity. While nowhere near as eclectic as its predecessor, "Jazz Is 2" is arguably an even more coherent and enjoyable album - and that's saying something.
Review: In the annals of electro funk and boogie, you can't overlook the imposing presence of Zapp. It's telling they were picked up by George Clinton and sent to Detroit to record their debut with Bootsy Collins, and just look at the results. On this most seminal of debut albums, the opening gambit of 'More Bounce To The Ounce' tells you everything you need to know - one of the nastiest b-lines ever committed to wax, with one of the most iconic talkbox performances flown in over the top. Overall though, Zapp 1 is a rounded affair with the more classically styled 'Be Alright' and tightly wound funker 'Freedom', capturing the band when they were all-rounders before going deeper into the synth side of things as the 80s wore on.
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