Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Rhythm Rhyme Revolution, alongside DJ Tabu, delivers a fantastic EP with Summertime / Sunshine Girl. 'Summertime (nuacidfunk)' gradually escalates into a disco crescendo, enriched by Dan Lipman's jazz flute/sax and Gareth Tasker's steaming sitar riff. On the flipside, 'Sunshine Girl' boasts a slinky Afro percussive groove, with DJ Tabu's vocals celebrating love in the sunshine, complemented by Barrie Sharpe's infectious hooks. The ensemble work, featuring Kenny Wellington's jazzy trumpet and vibrant guitar, creates a dynamic sonic landscape. The EP also includes the original version of 'Summertime,' reminiscent of Motown classics. Sharpe's masterful tease and impeccable mood-building make this record a touch of class, leaving listeners thoroughly enchanted.

Review: Bristolian turntablist and crate digger Andy Smith has long been renowned for the depth of his funk, soul and hip-hop selections, though it's only in recent years that we've discovered the quality and diversity of his disco collection. He continues to flex those credentials on the third instalment in his Reach Up - Disco Wonderland series. While there's plenty of obscurity on show, as you'd expect, Smith has chosen to include contemporary nu-disco cuts and fresh re-edits alongside vintage picks. So, while we cuts from The Sunshine Band, the disco-highlife of Orlando Julius and some late 70s electro-disco courtesy of French outfit Quartz, we're also treated to fresher tracks and edits from BB Soul, Birdee and Nick Reach Up, Yam Who and Full Intention. Throw in a killer DJ mix of the same material by Skratch Bastid and you have a genuinely essential collection.

Review: Andy Smith's Reach Up - Disco Wonderland Vol. 3 continues his exploration of the "Discosphere" with 16 more and one again carefully curated tracks. Featuring artists like Buscrates, Trailer Limon, and Rena Scott, the compilation also includes stellar edits and remixes by Full Intention, Yam Who, and Skratch Bastid. Initially curated during pandemic lockdowns and inspired by virtual DJ sets, Andy continues to share his superb collection via the legendary BBE Music label and once again this triple vinyl LP offers a treat for DJs, collectors and audiophiles alike.

Review: 180 Proof Records & BBE Music are continuing to revive the Strata catalogue with Larry Nozero's 1975 passion project, Time. As the final album released by Strata Inc, Time offers a dream-like mix of moods, blending jazz standards like 'All The Things You Are' with the melancholic 'Tony.' Each track on the album, as described by Nozero, is open to individual interpretation, embodying the concept of time itself. Detroit native Nozero, a member of Charles Moore's Detroit Contemporary 5 and a seasoned musician with credits alongside Henry Mancini, Sergio Mendes and Marvin Gaye, created an album fueled by freewheeling expressionism. Collaborating with his cousin Dennis Tini, Nozero crafted pieces that are funky, soulful, and soothing. Tini's 'Tune for L.N.' stands out with its rhythm-centric jazz, while the scat vocals on 'Chronicle Of The Murdered House' and the high-pitched bebop of 'Baubles, Bangles and Beads' add unique dimensions. Remastered from the original reel-to-reel masters, Time has been beautifully restored with original artwork and never-before-seen photos. This new version has been brought to the masses with loving care for new exploration.