Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita is a hardcore 45rpm devotee. They are his chosen tools as a beat-juggling DJ who can do logic-defying things with his grooves. He is a regal on Bloom and already dropped serious heat in January with 'World Famous'. This time he is back with a fresh take on 'Made In New York' which is a 1985 classic by renowned Brazilian funk and jazz pianist Tania Maria. He brings his signature hip-hop flair and creativity with his trusted crew, 45trio, and enlists the dynamic saxophonist King TJ (DA-Dee-MiX) to elevate things further.

Review: Percussionist James Mtume, also a member of the radical black nationalist US Organisation, was a known proponent of the Kawaida philosophy, which promoted collective creativity rooted in pan-African and socialist principles. In December 1969, with his uncle Albert and father Jimmy Heath involved, Mtume recorded this powerful narrative modal jazz opera, with Don Cherry, Herbie Hancock, Ed Blackwell, and Buster Williams kept in sessional tow. An intense, rhythmanalytic masterpiece, every musician is given their own time in the auditory spotlight here, helping broach a fresh, mulitplicitous sound for the late 60s. 'Kamili' and 'Maulaina' are special pieces, intoxicating the ears with the scented feel of emotional gasoline: modal and Afrocentric jazz globes collide on this dustily remastered record, bringing seismic, voggy eruptions of spirit.

Review: During the late 1970s and early '80s, Miami was a hotbed of percussion-rich disco-funk that blended popular Black American grooves of the day with nods to the drum-heavy rhythms of Afro-Cuban music. Herman Kelly & Life were amongst the outfits at the vanguard of this movement, though unusually they only released one album, 1978's Percussion Explosion! Here it gets a remastered CD reissue. It's naturally best-known for boda-fide disco anthem 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat', but there are plenty of other hot, break-heavy classics on display - not least the low-slung, high-octane brilliance of 'Who's The Funky DJ?', the string-drenched disco-soul sweetness of 'Share Your Love' and the low-down, extra-heavy funk rinse-out that is 'Do The Handbone'.

Review: The good folk at Mr Bongo are reissuing Herman Kelly's seminal 1978 album that birthed the iconic breakbeat classic 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat.' This Miami-based disco-funk project headed up by the drummer and producer features Latin, funk and percussive grooves that have gone on to influence generations of hip-hop and dance music producers. It is thought to have been sampled over 125 times by legends like DJ Shadow, N.W.A. and Run-D.M.C. after initially gaining fame via Ultimate Breaks & Beats in 1986. This reissue presents the sought-after 4:12 Alston Records version and it is as infectious and irresistible as ever.

Review: Kiefer's first live album captures the brilliant energy of his trio which features longtime collaborators Luke Titus and Pera Krstajic. This record was recorded at an intimate, secret Los Angeles show in April 2023 and includes a brand-new title track alongside selections from Kiefer's catalogue and a moving rendition of Bobby Hutcherson's 'Montara'. A GRAMMY-winning artist, Kiefer has worked with Anderson .Paak and Drake and recently performed an NPR Tiny Desk concert with Nate Smith, Carrtoons, Theo Croker and Charlie Hunter which have helped establish him on the world stage. This album is one that will resonate with fans of acts like Theo Croker, Mndsgn and Dinner Party.

Review: This session captures multi-instrumentalist Roland at a pivotal point in his career, shifting from Verve's jazz-centric domain to the broader, more commercially attuned Atlantic Records. This shift in label mirrors the album's approach, melding hard bop, r&b, pop and Latin influences into a refined yet emotionally charged recording. Stripped of excess, the interplay between piano, bass and drums offer a taut yet expressive foundation, allowing the lead instrument's voice to alternate between fiery intensity and delicate introspection. The album's compositions reflect the artist's expansive range, moving from simmering blues to modal explorations, each piece showcasing a unique facet of his musical identity. At its heart, a deeply affecting ballad stands out, its after-hours melancholy that hits all the right notes. In contrast, rhythm-driven pieces pulse with kinetic energy, bursting with sharp phrasing and infectious grooves. 'Fallout', tinged with bossa nova influence, juxtaposes playfulness with restraint, while 'Alfie' reimagines a beloved pop standard, reshaping its familiar contours into something bold and brassy. A vital document of an artist stretching his reach, bridging accessibility with deep musicianship. The balance of exuberance and restraint, structure and improvisation, makes it an engaging listen. For those that know it well, an underappreciated yet essential piece of his music catalogue.

Review: A self-titled debut album that's an impressive and deeply personal statement, featuring the trio's dynamic blend of jazz, fusion and West African influences. Rooted in their Newcastle upbringing, the record captures both the joy and struggles of their journey, translating lived experience into sophisticated, groove-driven compositions. Led by bassist Stan Woodward and drummer King David-Ike Elechi, with the virtuosic Ferg Kilsby on trumpet, Knats have crafted a sound that is both intricate and accessible. Tracks like the lead up single, 'Tortuga (For Me Mam)' radiate warmth and gratitude, while 'Se7en' delves into darker, introspective territory, reflecting Stan's complex relationship with his father, DJ Se7en. 'Adaeze', a poignant tribute to King's late sister, weaves gospel-folk melodies with West African percussive textures, adding a rich emotional depth. Their latest single, 'Rumba(r)', highlights the band's playful yet refined approach, fusing rumba clave rhythms with melodic sophistication, nodding to both 70s fusion and romantic classical influences. Their ability to balance technical prowess with emotive storytelling has earned them critical acclaim, and with infectious energy and masterful musicianship, Knats' debut is sure to turn heads.

Review: Journey Through Life witnesses Afrobeat pioneer, pallbearer and powerhouse Femi Kuti's very latest transformation in sound, as we witness the artist turn vividly, self-reflectively inward. The LP proposes a rare self-produced window into Femi's personal evolution, spanning childhood memories to fatherhood and, of course, the unshakable presence of family. As he puts it: "At the end of the day for me family is all that matters. The essence is to manage such events and let love prevail." Long celebrated for his uncompromising political voice, Femi leans evermore into an already evident vulnerability, revisiting earlier material through several, pylonic stylistic anchors: his signature horn-laced grooves, not to mention themes of personal legacy and posterity.

Review: Dennis Mpale had become a key figure in South African jazz by the time the mid-70s swung around having already had a career spanning some pivotal moments in the genre's evolution. From leading the trumpet section in Chris McGregor's Castle Lager Big Band to co-founding the jazz fusion group Roots, Mpale was instrumental in shaping jazz and in 1977, he released Our Boys Are Doing It-his solo debut. It was produced by Rashid Vally and issued on Mercury as a bold response to global trends which embraced township bump jive and featured legends like Kippie Moketsi. We Are Busy Bodies now reissues this essential title from analogue masters so it sounds superb as a key bit of jazz history.