Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Soul Supreme is a master keyboardist best known for his covers of classic hip-hop songs by the likes of Mos Def, MF Doom and A Tribe Called Quest. Here side-steps his covers duties to handle remix productions for two of his contemporaries in the Netherlands neo-soul scene - Gallowstreet, LYMA, Shamis and Rebiere. The A side lends a wonky future house feel (a-la GoldLink, Crackazat) to '52 North', Gallowstreet's ode to the city of Amsterdam. The B tune strips it back to a lo-fi soul bapper, fleshing out its theme of loneliness in parenting.

Review: Sam Redmore's innovative and eclectic global grooves continue to impress with his latest releases. Known for creating uplifting tracks that effortlessly merge electronic, jazz, Latin and Afro sounds, Sam returns with a stunning rendition of Dames Brown's 'What Would You Do?' Lumi HD's outstanding vocals, supported by a superb ensemble of backing singers and musicians, bring an organic warmth to the track, which passionately encourages lovers to make the right choices. On the flip side, 'Glow,' which debuted earlier this year, has already received acclaim from tastemakers for its infectious and bold groove. This track exemplifies Redmore's talent for crafting music that deeply resonates with audiences. Both tracks highlight Redmore's distinctive style and his skill in fusing various genres into seamless pieces. These new releases further cement his status as a maestro of eclectic global sounds.

Review: Reggie Ray's latest release, timed with the Paris '24 Olympics Breaking event, pays homage to street culture with a heartfelt record. With intricate production and a nod to New York '72, it's a fitting tribute to DJ Regal's innovative spirit. The artwork by Optic Intake adds visual depth, resonating with the energy of the FBV Crew and the late Paul Eve's enduring influence. Released by Lexington144 Records, this EP blends nostalgia with contemporary beats, showcasing Reggie Ray's mastery in crafting dynamic, street-inspired tracks. A poignant note honors Eve's legacy, promising future releases from Lexington 144 Records. This release not only celebrates breaking culture but also tells about the enduring impact of its creators.

Review: 'Thermae' feels like a track that's more about the spaces between the notes than the notes themselves. Featuring Andy Baxter on guitar, bass, and drums, along with Jim Piela on saxophone and Francesca Uberti on piano, it's a laid-back, almost meditative piece that brings to mind the warm, smooth vibes of Khruangbin and Glass Beams. The track is sparse, but not in a way that feels emptyithere's a certain tension in the way it unfolds, with each instrument carving out its own space. The saxophone, in particular, stands out with an FX-laden part that evokes the mood of Robohand's 'Palms' LP from 2023, adding a touch of depth and atmosphere that lingers in the background. There's a nice balance between the organic and the electronic here, which shows in how the track was recorded between London and New York. It's all mixed and mastered with care by Sean Woodlock and John Webber, ensuring that each element, no matter how subtle, shines through in its own time. It's a reflective piece that doesn't demand attention, but invites it when you're ready.

Review: Ruby Rushton's latest offering presents a vibrant exploration of rhythm and texture, breathing new life into contemporary jazz fusion. On the title track, 'Stapodia,' an infectious groove shifts effortlessly between time signatures, creating a dynamic backdrop for striking solos on saxophone and trumpet. 'Kalo Livadi' bursts forth with a whirlwind of flute, trumpet, and synth bass, only to wind down into a hypnotic hip-hop groove, its keys solo lingering like an unexpected afterthought. The interplay of improvisation and structure feels both daring and deliberate, capturing the energy of a band constantly in conversation with itself.

Review: Dan 'The Drum' Spalding, known for his house and rave DJ sets, teams up with dance music producer Ronnie Turner and DJ/vocalist Emma Noble to reinvent Coffee's 1980 disco take on 'Casanova'. Originally sung by Ruby Andrews in 1967 and penned by Jo Armstead, the trio's version channels a retro, jazzy vibe that could easily pass for a lost Blue Note gem from the '60s. Their fresh spin breathes new life into both versions, delivering a timeless, love-infused track that's sure to keep dancefloors moving. It's cleariCasanova isn't done yet.

Review: It would seem we're back on the Christmas card list... 2000 Black supergroup comprising the likes of Dego, Mensah and original Bugz members Lord and Tatham have been slowly ramping up their releases again and this year has seen their largest output yet. Following "Two Way Here One Way Go", "Simmering" proffers three more sublime and silky instrumentals from deeply decorated foursome. "Simmering" is a tight jazz funk jam with a sprung guitar groove spine and a blissful switch into soothing flutes midway, "Private Life" flips for a sunnyside digidub, all spacious and rippling with its breezy keys while "Climb The Sun" brings us back to the funk root note but with rising synth insistency that's bruk to the bone. Simmering now, boiling tomorrow...

Review: Grammy award-winner Tyla broke the internet with her viral track 'Water', becoming the first South African artist in over 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100 - as well as the youngest South African of all time ever to do so. The 'Water' challenge swept the internet, earning her top ten placements in multiple countries and nominations for various awards - rightly so, her voice is sultry, the beat is smooth and the hook is infectious. On the other side of the 7" coin is Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Rema with his career-defining breakout hit 'Calm Down', his vocal talent shining through the minimal instrumentation. It's easy to see why the world was entranced, bolstered massively by a remix featuring Selena Gomez that has since led the track to be nominated for several Billboard and MTV awards, as well as holding a long list of world records: Most streamed Afrobeat song on Spotify, Longest charting African song on Billboard, most watched Nigerian music video... we could go on.

Review: Since launching a few years back, Matthew Halsall's Gondwana Records has released some terrific albums from a string of talented but often little-known artists. This brilliant set is another. It comes from Hania Rani, a pianist, composer and producer better known for her collaborative work with the likes of Christian Loffler, Dobrawa Czocher and Hior Chronik. "Esja" is Rani's solo debut and sees her sashay between atmospheric, often poignant pieces that put her impeccable piano playing at the heart of the action. It's exceedingly elegant and picturesque, with Rani's subtle use of field recordings and crackling background noise only enhancing the listening experience.