Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Heavyweight sonic Afro-botics from Nikodemus, Barzo and Mr Doris on 7" wax. The trio team up here with Dinked Records for a double-bill 7" in veins of amapiano and broken beat, primed for crate sifters and floor ambulants alike. On the A, 'Want Some More' delivers Mr. Doris' signature blend of rhythmic muscle and Afro-Latin swang, while the flip flops Nickodemus with Barzo and Zongo Abongo for 'Show Your Power': a bold, percussive cut straddling broken beat, house, and ska. Somewhere between 126 and 128 BPM, both are utter floor finishers and could easily intro your next Afro-house set as they could provide it a sense of continuous, mid-set body.

Review: Mr. Bongo credit themselves with taking a selection of the most in-demand and asked-for titles in their Brazil '45s catalogue, lending them all a loving repress in due homage to the music of the nation. This time, they focus their energies on the synergy shared between the late composer and record producer Nonato Buzar and drummer Jose Roberto, both of whose contributions to the MPB canon are unmissable, referent sonic studs. Nonato's 'Cafua' is a powerful eurythmic, its strigiform vocals proving a suitable narcotic to offset to the track's otherwise restless horns and post-bossa-nova drum clacks, which hit like quick patterings against soft cartilage. Roberto's 'Crioula Multicolorida' is a more vintage recording, erstwhile bringing rare "samba rock" grooviness and reflective, call and response lyricisms to a redolent rhythm.

Review: Considering this track originally surfaced back in 1993, it's staggering how up to the minute it still sounds, not to mention setting the tone for the swathes of downtempo and broken beat that would flood out from the 90s and beyond into the 21st century. You simply can't measure the influence of "The Nervous Track" with its horn blasts and limber drum roll, and it proves that MAW were never just about tough New York house bump. Take your pick from any of the mixes, they're all classics in their own individual ways, and they'll set any listener adrift on a summery haze of soulful tones and magical drum patterns.

Review: American DJ and producer Nickodemus commands an eclectic and global sound, mixing EDM with organic instrumentation and vocals through a cross-cultural musical lens. Coming to his very own Wonderwheel Recordings, Soul & Science is a befitting name thanks to the seeming fusion of electronically-programmed dance beats and regional organics, but this is also one of those albums that could also potentially shatter the hard border between the two connotations. Vocal contributors and instrumentalists from Sudan (Alsarah), Cameroon (Pat Kalla), the Caribbean (Hector "Tempo" Alomar) and Cuba (Quantic) make for a floor-shakingly diverse and humanist appreciation of the collective dance-spirit.

Review: This year marks three decades since George Evelyn sat down with original Nightmares on Wax production partner Kevin Harper to make music for the first time. In those days, Evelyn was focused just as much on house and techno as reggae, soul, jazz and hip-hop. You'd forgive Evelyn if he got a little misty-eyed on Shape The Future, but bar the appearance of his old Leeds pal LSK (a rapper who rose up at the same time as the Yorkshire veteran), its really business as usual. With an impressive cast list of guest stars swinging by to lend soulful vocals, on-point raps and high quality musicianship, the album is as colourful, laidback and groovy as anything Evelyn has released. Given his longevity, that's remarkable.

Review: Over the years, George 'E.A.S.E' Evelyn has made some very good downtempo music as Nightmares on Wax, as well as some killer club cuts. Even so, he's previously made little quite as musically refined as Shout Out To Freedom. Made in cahoots a giant cast-list of guest performers, the album's 15 tracks rarely surprise - we know by now that Evelyn will blend elements of soul, hip-hop, jazz, reggae and smooth grooves - but are still capable of genuinely taking your breath away. Basically, Evelyn is doing what he does best, only better than ever, with more extensive use of live instrumentation and some genuinely stirring orchestration. Highlights include the Balearic ambient jazz brilliance of 'Wonder', the low-slung, flash-friend soul shuffle of 'Own Me' and the sunrise-ready bliss of 'Imagineering'.

Review: Carlos NiNo & Friends' Placenta is a deeply conceptual and collaborative album, marking the fourth collection of their imaginative music released on International Anthem in recent years. Inspired by NiNo's experience of becoming a father again, the album is dedicated to the spirit of family, birth, and the experience of bringing new life into the world. Each track is a sonic exploration, from the soulful 'Love to all Doulas!' to the ethereal 'Moonlight Watsu in Dub.' NiNo's refusal to confine himself to genres is evident in the diverse sounds and textures woven throughout the album, reflecting his belief that friendships drive the greatest creative collaborations. With contributions from an impressive list of collaborators, Placenta is a prime example to the power of community and the boundless possibilities of musical experimentation. It's a heartfelt and visionary work that invites listeners on a transformative journey of sound and emotion.

Review: Nubiyan Twist's album, Find Your Flame, heralds an electrifying fusion of genres, as evidenced by the vibrant single 'Lights Out,' featuring the legendary Nile Rodgers. Rodgers' distinctive guitar stylings infuse the track with an infectious blend of disco, jazz, and afrobeat, creating a dancefloor anthem brimming with energy and virtuosity. Fronted by new lead vocalist Aziza Jaye, 'Lights Out' shows the band's trademark big-band sound, characterised by anthemic horns and a catchy chorus that is sure to leave listeners exhilarated. The track epitomises the carefree spirit of Nubiyan Twist's music, inviting audiences to lose themselves in its infectious rhythms. Find Your Flame boasts a stellar lineup of collaborators, including Seun Kuti, Mamani Keita, Corto Alta, Ria Moran, KOG, and NEone the Wonderer, reflecting the band's commitment to global musical diversity. Hailing from Sheffield, Nubiyan Twist has garnered international recognition for their dynamic live performances and innovative sound. With a history of acclaimed releases, including their self-titled debut and the widely praised Jungle Run albums, the band continues to push boundaries in the contemporary jazz scene.