Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: More from dusty-fingered don DJ Muro's Digura edit series. This time round, he's focused on two fabulous but often overlooked disco gems. On the A-side it's all about Brandye's punchy, funk-fuelled, disco era crossover soul cover of Ace's much-loved 1974 sing-along 'How Long' - a sublime interpretation that's easily the best version of the much-covered song we've heard. Basically, it's an energetic, impassioned version of an end-of-night classic; what's not to like? Over on the flip, Muro takes his rusty scalpel to Queen Samantha's largely instrumental, Italo-disco classic 'Take a Chance' - a spacey, synth-powered chunk of peak-time chug that has long been championed by some of the World's most knowledgeable disco DJs.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record has very light surface marks/smudges, but otherwise in perfect working condition***


More from dusty-fingered don DJ Muro's Digura edit series. This time round, he's focused on two fabulous but often overlooked disco gems. On the A-side it's all about Brandye's punchy, funk-fuelled, disco era crossover soul cover of Ace's much-loved 1974 sing-along 'How Long' - a sublime interpretation that's easily the best version of the much-covered song we've heard. Basically, it's an energetic, impassioned version of an end-of-night classic; what's not to like? Over on the flip, Muro takes his rusty scalpel to Queen Samantha's largely instrumental, Italo-disco classic 'Take a Chance' - a spacey, synth-powered chunk of peak-time chug that has long been championed by some of the World's most knowledgeable disco DJs.

Review: A really cool concept from Expansion here; one side is a reissued seminal classic, the other is a contemporary version. And what a way to start the start the series; hard bop hero Johnny Hammond influenced pretty much every soul, jazz, rare groove and funk artist who've followed in his path, and the joyously unpredictable "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" is one of his best. Naturally Japanese jazz outfit Quasimode are an ideal remix choice. Known for their wildstyle riffage and signature switches, they've paid the utmost respect to Hammond.

Review: Q.A.S.B."is a funk and soul group that formed in Tokyo in 2005 and is influenced by James Brown, Kool & The Gang, and Sly & The Family Stone. They have put out four albums before now and they can do nice smooth groovers as well as more mellow and laid back tunes for home listening. 'Escape' and 'Gotta Believe' is their latest single release from late last year now finally making its way to wax. The a-side has dazzling synths next to more organic and dusty rhythm work with funky licks leading the way and the flip is similar with its cosmic rays and nice loose limbed beats. Both have been subtly reworked here.

Review: Q.A.S.B. is a Tokyo-based soul group that presents danceable funky tunes and more mellow laid-back numbers, featuring strong early '70s influences. The track 'Vivalava' is taken from their fifth album Candy Dream released last year. It's veteran DJ/producer Kaoru Kawasaki's Island dub mix which takes the spotlight here, giving what already was an awesome track a nice reshape, with groove dynamics optimised for the dancefloor. The song's magnificent horns section takes centre stage much like the original, supported by Amy A's wonderful vocal. Over on the B side is a Remaster of the original.

Review: QASB's Kono Machi De single, released on Soul Garden Japan, is a vibrant blend of Japanese soul with jazz funk and city pop influences. Side-1 features the Shuya Okino edit of 'Kono Machi De Aka In This Town,' which emphasises a groovy rhythm, enhancing the track's infectious energy. Side-2, has the original version which delivers a feel-good mix of disco strings and a lively horn section, reminiscent of Taste of Honey. Written by Moritaka as a tribute to her hometown Kumamoto, the song includes a nod to Tomari River, a location tied to collaborator Yuichi Takahashi. Having the option of both versions make this 7" a great little 45 to have.

Review: Q.A.S.B. is a Japanese funk and soul ensemble with a.yu.mi. handling lead vocals, a singer celebrated for her funky style reminiscent of James Brown but captured here in a more romantic and subdued mood here. 'Will' is a new single on Soul Garden that offers up soulful and pop-leading sounds with elegant vocals and graceful grooves backed by big band horns. Interestingly, the same tune gets served up again on the flipside, only sung in English. It neither improves nor detracts from the original but proves to be an interesting experiment for that reason.

Review: The many faces and fusions of James Reeno continue as NYC drop another white hot, super-limited 45". Concentrated funk is main message across both sides as James switches persona and hooks up with inspiring compadres along the way. "Funk Weapon" lives up to its name as Reeno's bubbling bass zips and zaps beneath some salubrious guitar work from Mano Reza. "Don't Funk Wid Us" sees him donning a trippier, more introspective funk as Kozmik Funk. Loaded with Oakland's finest E.Live on the pads and peppered with subtle talkbox tones, the message is clear: it's not a good idea to funk with these cats. Essential.

Review: Longtime global groove maker and master musician Quantic rare makes a misstep. And you certainly won't find him making one on this new Selva 12" which is two tracks of big band soul. All the usual Quantic standards apply - big glossy, golden horns and wah wah guitar that brings the funk with superbly solid rhythm sections underneath both grooves. 'Theme From Selva' is a real show stopper that would mark any arrival in style and 'Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five' is then a big disco cover of Paul McCartney and Wings' track of the same name taken from their 1973 album Band on the Run.

Review: With big links to Giles P and the Soil & Pimp crew, Quasimode need no introduction. Fresh off touring their Magic Ensemble LP they're back with four brand new jazz workouts. Polished and primed with their trademark power-lounge flavour, each cut sizzles with off-beat soul and swinging grooves. "Summer Madness" freaks gently like a polite Fatback Band demo. "Give It Up Turn It Loose" rides with more of a boogie groove. "Los Conquistadores Chocolate" is the most purist jazz number of the set with epic vibraphone walks and endless weaves of heady percussion. "Slow Motion" ends on a jazz-pop note with some of the sweetest harmonies they've ever put to wax. A true delight!

Review: The 7" Douchetown brings together Queen Beach Killer Cat and Page 99 for a pair of smooth, soulful lounge tracks that transport listeners to a retro-infused world. Side-1 features Queen Beach Killer Cat's 'Douchetown,' a track that channels the essence of late 70s smooth soul, funk, and disco. With its laid-back groove and soulful blend, it's reminiscent of Boz Scaggs' finest moments, while the title adds a touch of tongue-in-cheek irony to the relaxed vibe. On Side-2, Page 99 teams up with Queen Beach Killer Cat for a lounge-inspired cover of Van Halen's 'Why Can't This Be Love.' The clever reimagining transforms the rock classic into a mellow, jazzy rendition, making this release a delightful fusion of nostalgia and originality.

Review: Three years ago, Four Flies Records released a previously unknown album from library music composer Guiliano Sorgini called Africa Oscura - a set of dark, intoxicating instrumentals originally intended to soundtrack documentaries. Now they've decided to get it remixed, with the results being shared over two EPs. There's plenty to admire on this second volume. Jolly Mare step up first with a near perfect Afro-cosmic take on 'Afro Sortilegio'-all tribal percussion, doom-laden bass, funky Clavinet motifs and spacey synth sounds- before PAd [sic] delivers the 'Mondo Bali' mix of 'Notte Nella Savala' -a deep, moody and bass-heavy workout with added delay-laden keys. Elsewhere, Quiroga and Dario Bass reinvent 'Oasi Nella Giungla' is a deep synth-funk warmer, and Paine re-casts 'Miraggio' as a gently but funky Balearic gem.

Review: Will Holland's career as Quantic has traversed many different areas, most notably immersing himself in many aspects of Latin American music culture through collaboration, but on this new album he's taken a different approach. What started out as an intention to experiment quickly flipped to become a love letter to disco as a powerful emotional tool for a huge swathe of people. Given disco's affinity for percussive rhythms from elsewhere, you can be sure Holland's put his prior research and talent to good use and once again connected with some incredible artists to shape out his sound, including Andreya Triana singing on four tracks as well as Connie Constance and Rationale.

Review: Will Holland is Quantic and with this project he has explored myriad different musical worlds, has traversed many different areas, most notably immersing himself in many aspects of Latin American music culture, often through collaboration. He's switched it up for this new record after first starting out with some experiments that soon turned into a love letter to disco which has long been a powerful emotional tool. He brings his own sense of percussive energy to the genre and has again worked with an array of talented mates including Connie Constance and Rationale plus vocalist Andreya Triana.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


The new album by Quantic - aka. multi instrumentalist, DJ, composer and producer Will Holland - is in many ways an evolution. Now twenty years into his career, Dancing While Falling is the British-born, New York-based artist's most live sounding, euphoric and, in his own words, grown-up release to date. Capturing the beginnings of every good person's revelatory movement from an individual to a collective spirit, Holland originally began the album in his Brooklyn studio, before realising that he didn't just want to make a record that reflected his 'singular pandemic wormhole', but rather one that tapped into the essential togetherness of the human condition. So too does this record explore themes of connection felt through, and made more intense by, the antagonistic bouts of loneliness that characterised COVID-19. Influenced by legendary artists in the scene like Bohannon and Larry Levan, Quantic wanted to make a disco -eaning album at first; "I'm really interested in Latin music and Afro Caribbean rhythms and I think there's a really amazing point in history where the emergence of those rhythms and its combination with American soul sparked what we now know as disco," he says. This PIAS extended edition comes one year on from its initial 2023 release, Quantic here expands on his work by adding a ream of extended versions.

Review: The new album by Quantic - aka. multi instrumentalist, DJ, composer and producer Will Holland - is in many ways an evolution. Now twenty years into his career, Dancing While Falling is the British-born, New York-based artist's most live sounding, euphoric and, in his own words, grown-up release to date. Capturing the beginnings of every good person's revelatory movement from an individual to a collective spirit, Holland originally began the album in his Brooklyn studio, before realising that he didn't just want to make a record that reflected his 'singular pandemic wormhole', but rather one that tapped into the essential togetherness of the human condition. So too does this record explore themes of connection felt through, and made more intense by, the antagonistic bouts of loneliness that characterised COVID-19. Influenced by legendary artists in the scene like Bohannon and Larry Levan, Quantic wanted to make a disco -eaning album at first; "I'm really interested in Latin music and Afro Caribbean rhythms and I think there's a really amazing point in history where the emergence of those rhythms and its combination with American soul sparked what we now know as disco," he says. This PIAS extended edition comes one year on from its initial 2023 release, Quantic here expands on his work by adding a ream of extended versions.

Review: Quiet Dawn's latest offering, Celebrate, is an 11-track testament to the eclectic talent that has made him a cornerstone of the First Word family for a decade. Following in the footsteps of his previous ventures, particularly the Movements EP, this album seamlessly blends broken beat flavors with a diverse range of influences. Featuring luminaries like Bembe Segue, LyricL, and Oliver Night, Celebrate is a terrific drift through soulful grooves, lively bars and infectious rhythms. From uplifting jazz samba vibes to downtempo boom bap, Quiet Dawn effortlessly melds organic and electronic elements, creating a good dose of positivity and good vibes. Tracks like 'Celebrate,' composed with his son on his lap, and collaborations with talents like Bembe Segue and Oliver Night, highlight Quiet Dawn's ability to translate personal moments into universal celebrations of life, love and cultural diversity. With infectious energy and a message of turning negativity into positivity, Celebrate invites listeners to dance, reflect and embrace the richness of our individual journeys.