Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Charlie Charlie's 'Save Us' is a track brimming with raw emotion, and Mondag's remix feels like a perfect counterpart, bringing a subtle touch of melancholy with its soft saxophone solo. The track maintains its weight, but Mondag's approach gives it a dream-like quality, coaxing out the depths of its aching beauty. Bella Boo's edit brings a noticeable shift, tightening the rhythms and infusing the track with a sharper energy, but it never loses the soul of the original. Gerd Janson, meanwhile, offers an ambient version that feels like an entirely different experience - less immediate, but no less absorbing. On the other side, Hypernatural's remixes expand on the dreamlike, almost otherworldly feeling of the originals. Knightlife's take on 'Spirit Walk' stretches the song's already fluid nature, making it feel weightless, while Gerd Janson's remix of 'Stormfront' adds a darker, more reflective mood.

Review: Musica Solida sampler 1 marks a thrilling celebration of 40 years of Flexi, the venerable record emporium that has stood the test of time in the ever-evolving music industry landscape. As the label weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, it has remained a beacon for vinyl enthusiasts, and this compilation embodies its enduring spirit. Curated by Flexi Cuts, Musica Solida promises a series of carefully selected singles spread across multiple 12-inch samplers, showcasing the talents of cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. With a vision to cultivate a movement of sublime tunes, the compilation aims to uphold the commitment to quality that Flexi has exemplified within the Italian music scene and beyond. Musica Solida sampler one sets the stage with an eclectic lineup of artists, each bringing their unique flair to the table. DJ Rocca stands as a stalwart of the clubbing scene, while Club Soda delivers live electronic ensembles brimming with house-flavored jams. Lex & Locke bring a touch of Greek sophistication to the mix, showcasing their groovy sound destined for future acclaim. Hiroyuki Kato emerges as a Japan-based multi-instrumentalist with a punchy debut track, and The Mechanical Man (feat. Bob Vito) adds a raw, gritty energy to the compilation. For those that are adventurous in finding unique music, you will want to check out this great release.

Review: Originally part of a 1975 charity compilation LP raising money for environmental charities in California - which later became a collectors artifact changing hands for silly money (which didn't fit well with the Deja Vu Kid team) - so this Balearic nugget, the crown jewel of the album, was released on 7". More in keeping with its original spirit, not to mention its exquisite sound, there's no better way to share it again than on it's own 45 release at a fair price. 'Metropolis' and its B-side, 'Before I'm Gone', are pristine, hi-fi wilderness folk ditties, both of which evince an incredible mood of streamside Americana.

Review: Rick Holmes' Remember to Remember is a gem of a reissue from 1981, faithfully presented with both original tracks on each side. this 12" vinyl from gold mink records is gleaming with top soul-jazz and funk music with a crisp production that stands out. Sadly, Rick Holmes recently passed away which makes this reissue extra special. The title track 'Remember to Remember' and the B-side 'Tothe Unknowledgeable One' showcase infectious grooves and soulful rhythms that mark this record as a true classic. Hearing it for the first time on jfm/horizon radio in the early 80s was a revelationiintroducing many to rare groove soul. Records like this weren't typical at parties, where uptempo tracks ruled, making its presence all the more striking. It played a crucial role in the rare groove scene, which was just on the brink of exploding and changing how underground soul was appreciated. for collectors and enthusiasts, this reissue is a nostalgic and essential piece of music history.

Review: Apodelia is Hotspring's second solo release on Mood Hut; the record is partly a further exploration of song forms, studio techniques and instrumentation explored on 2020's Obit For Sunshade. This latest addition to the artistic moniker of Scott Gailey Spring explores lifting into revealing; scouring fidelities, playing with emotion, and improvising by night. A timestretched, textural nocturne is painted in sound, echoing a more contemporary incarnation of mid-'10s Mister Lies; the glassy piano refractions of 'Glanzstrasse 6', the ripply audio-pools and autotunings of 'Organ With Fire' and the beat-cracklings of 'Day Moment' are all highlights.