Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Continuing their mission to retrouve genres across the spectrums of Latin funk and cumbia, Original Gravity welcome back founding favourites Luchito and Nestor Alvarez with yet another sonic vitamin D pill, presaging the warmer days to soon come. Both sides tap into that rich 60s and 70s Afro-Carib crossover sound, with, at least on the face of it, no studio trickery in earshot (though careful listens reveal the method behind the majesty). Anyone with a weakness for brass-led Latin burner will melt on contact with this one.

Review: Popularly known to fans as "Ice" - a rare case of hypocorism in colloquial fan band nicknaming - Strut Recordings document a rare record from the vaults of the luminary Lafayette Afro-Rock Band, one that is arguably the closest in their catalogue to the signature sound defining their earlier work. Marked by an especially complex funk rhythmology, this record was pressed contemporaneously with the infamous Soul Makossa and Malik sessions; but compared to their earlier works, Afro Agban pushes deeper into jazz-rock territory. 'Ozan Koukle' has espceially become a known but coveted missing link for turntable taxonomists, who'll thank their lucky stars for the fact that it is now available in full.

Review: La Pambele, Bogota's salsa dura ensemble, distills the spirit of 1970s salsa while threading modern-day stories through every track. Their energetic and heartfelt music is a celebration of the culture that's so intrinsic to their city, blending bold rhythms with lyrics that hit close to home. In a city often perceived as less rhythmically charged than the coastal regions, the band defies the stereotype, delivering tracks like 'Para No Olvidar' and 'La Bella Y La Culebra' that pulse with energy and authenticity. 'Naci Mestizo', the album's title track, sees La Pambele collaborate with the seasoned Afro-Colombian folklorist Nicoyembe, adding layers of cultural depth and richness that further root the sound in Colombian heritage. The mix of piano, conga, flute, and brass on songs like 'Amargura' and 'Son Cimarron' carries a nostalgic yet forward-thinking energy, embracing the past while pushing boundaries. There's a warmth and precision in the way the orchestra weaves traditional salsa with contemporary expressions, effortlessly moving between nostalgia and modern relevance, all while telling the story of the everyday Bogotano in its boldest form.

Review: Wewantsounds continues its deep dive into Algerian music with the first-ever reissue of Les Abranis' sought-after-by-those-who-know 1983 long player, Album No. 1. Originally recorded in Paris and privately pressed in small quantities, the album, which is also known as Id Ed Was, fuses Kabyle rhythms with funk and touches of reggae. This reissue has been curated by Cheb Gero (of recent Sweet Rebels compiling fame) and features remastered audio, though it retains the original artwork. It's a great line document of Algeria's diasporic groove with a two-page insert featuring fresh liner notes by journalist Rabah Mezouane.

Review: The music of this unique quartet explores the roots of African music while embracing its newest possibilities. Featuring Malian singer Rokia Traore and griot Mamah Diabate, alongside Stefano Pilia (Afterhours, Massimo Volume), their collaboration merges with Gambian griot Jabel Kanuteh, a kora virtuoso, and percussionist Marco Zanotti. The fusion of Malian and Gambian rhythms with Italian influences creates a fresh new sound that blends the ancient and the modern. The music weaves jazz, rock and folk with a number of experimental digressions but never at the expense of an underlying groove and high-fidelity sense of musicianship that connects diverse cultural identities.