Review: Well Curated is a series of releases and parties that - in its own words - "reflects the ethnomusicology of the last 50 years of music" - and aims to reach into all genres, merging classic styles and breaking down barriers. Steve Spacek occupies the A-side with the breezy broken beat and soul-in-space of 'Alone In Da Sun', while Lukid's 'Hair Of The Dog' is a more intense counterpart, with wobbling sub-bass and swirling, surging atmospherics hovering above.
Review: The FunkyJaws Music label invites us deep into their world for a third time here with another delicious 12".It's a various artists EP that features one of our top disco favourites - Eddie C. He opens up with 'Do You Wanna Dance' which has vocals pacing about the mix and old school acid bass twangs under raw house drums. Elado's '25.4 Millimeters' is a Middle Eastern funk workout with spangled drum hits and the flip side brings twisted acid disco and the cosmic trip that is 'In Your Ear With It' from Funkyjaws themselves.
Review: Stefano Tirone has been a stalwart of the Italian scene since making his debut on legendary Italian house label Calypso Records way back in 1992. Since then, his productions have become increasingly more jazz and soul focused, with a sizeable side order of groovy downtempo beats. His latest seven-inch single begins with "Try My Love", a hazy chunk of head-nodding jazz-funk/soul fusion rich in languid synthesizer solos, lazy grooves, hazy horns and soulful vocals. It's really good all told, though we'd argue that flipside "Odoya" - a wiggling chunk of Afro-tinged mid-tempo funk - is even better. Either way, it's another rock solid release from the effervescent Tirone.
Review: Soul, disco, funk and boogie all combine to superb effect here on this new one from Savoir Faire on Miles Away. The A-side is a glorious two-stepper with Cassandra Wright's next-level vocals shining bright up top next to a deeper male vocal as the drums and funky bass unravel on 'Holding On.' Flip it over and the pace picks up but the soul remains high on 'You're The Best' which has a more yearning vibe and hip swinging claps next to lush strings and call and repose vocals over a squelchy boogie bassline. Super stuff.
Review: After a year of energizing live performances, Say She She releases their vibrant cover of the Jackson Sisters' classic 'I Believe In Miracles.' With Sergio Rios of Orgone behind the fresh, funky production, this track is irresistibly danceable. On Side-2, 'C'est Si Bon,' is a French discodelia anthem from their acclaimed sophomore LP Silver. It's a bi-lingual, joy-inducing track that compels listeners to dance. This 45 features two crowd-pleasing tracks that promise to ignite any dancefloor. With its infectious energy and stellar production, this record is bound to become a favorite for vinyl enthusiasts and partygoers.
Jim Spencer - "Wrap Myself Up In Your Love" (4:03)
Review: Brooklyn-based psychedelic soul group Say She She have exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and multiple TV performances, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Organic and authentic are two words that fit the classically trained troupe to a tea and, in the great soul tradition, covers are a necessity. Jim Spencer's 1979 track 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' didn't get much attention at the time - his attempt at doing disco wasn't well received - but thanks to the adoration of archive label The Numero Group, the song has seen a resurgence in covers and fans. The original vocal is expressive and powerful against some jangly funk guitars, whilst Say She She's rendition hones in on the sultry aspect of the track. Guitars are muted down to transform the song into a lovemaking slow jam, wind passages are introduced and the vocal is subtly powerful and sexy. This single has both Say She She's cover - as well as the original - on a 7" disc.
Review: Junior Scaife delivers two ensouled sides, produced and co-written by Penrose mainstay Anthony Masino. One of the most gifted vocalists in the soulscape of today, Scaife infuses every note with a shrill sprechgesang, a longing, heaving intonation heard between the runs. 'Nobody Gets My Love' is an ode to tensions of love and pride, wielding the late-60s Hestor and Wylie Detroit sound as a listless instrument for impudence. On the B, 'Too Much Too Soon', offers a slow-burning ballad laced with wah guitar and a comparatively elegance, marking a standout for the lowrider soul crowd.
Review: Craft Music's Good For Dance series continues with its second instalment and this one has been curated by none other than DJ Craft himself. Joining him are talented pals Schmoltz, Bogdan Ra, Romain FX, and Outra, also known as Joutro Mundo. These deep diggers are celebrated for their prowess in unearthing hidden gems and transforming them into dancefloor anthems and that's what they do here as each artist brings a unique flavour to the mix. Schmoltz's 'Luv The States' is a peak-time percussive disco jam, Bogdan Ra brings some slap-funk drums and glossy Italo synths and 'Tell Me Why' has crunchy drums and jagged synth stabs before a camp closer in 'Colosso'.
Review: Surprise: Detroit five-piece Will Sessions warm us up for their next album with two classics from their elusive 2010 jazz fusion homage Kindred. The title track builds on their more cosmic work with frantic guitar flashes and horn cries over a languid moonlit bed creating sudden moments of tension, release. "Polyester People" flips the energy as the troupe tightly roll out a firing jazz funk riff that's so tightly locked the delicious keys can do as they please... And often do. Bring on the new album.
Review: The Sextones are a four-piece soul band from Reno, Nevada, who blend elements of rock, pop, and funk with a deep and mournful soul primacy. Fitting squarely into that oeuvre is their latest 'Beck & Call', which recalls their dearest inspirations - the likes of The Moments, Baby Huey and Curtis Mayfield - for two equally powerful falsetto'ing slow jams. The title track is the more emotive standout, channelling a hefty drum forward plod, lilting strings, soul-foundational bass, and lyrics dealing with letting go of a lost cause. 'Daydreaming', meanwhile, is more of a haze, and notably utilises electronic drums and a prominent sitar.
Review: Two of Finnish label Timmons regulars in their house band Cold Diamond & Mink and heart-melting vocalist Emilia Sisco come together once more here following previous successes such as 2019's vital 7", 'Don't Believe You Like That'. The gorgeous 'Trouble' has wah-wah pedals and slow-turning rhythms imbued with lush soul from Sisco under laissez-faire horns. 'It'll Get Better' is more intimate with organ chords shimmering over a sentimental groove. These are two timeless jams that could be forgotten 60s classics as much as great new cuts.
Review: He's jazzed all over Bob. He's filled Grandmaster Flash with jazz too. Shucks, he's done Jacko several times over. But Ed's back and he's jazzing all over the place. This time they focus on the later stages of Jackson's career: "Dangerous" rolls with sneaking minor key twinkles and smoky spoken word before the melody softens to allow a little Michael in the mix. "Do You Remember" is more a jazz boogie joint with funky piano rolls on the fills and much more engaging groove.
Review: Snips is back with a bang on his own label Barbershop Records. This time out he offers up the fresh Nebuer EP which is a project undertaken in which he mixes up sample-heavy house and hip-hop sounds, all in a style with which he has become closely associated. The artist has recently become a father for the first time and so that life event was a big influence on this studio work and each makes a specific reference to the different steps on his journey into fatherhood. That makes this a truly personal work but also one that never forgets the club and so the beats remain heavy, compelling, and packed with soulful flourishes.
Review: The second analog release from the Japanese hip-hop label Warufuzake, 'Coffee' hears the amusingly-named Soy Ayers helm up production and rap duties for a new release on 7" wax. The track is a playful b-boy-breaksy hip-hop cut that regales the story of men seducing the objects of their affections with euphemistic 'coffee'. Exquisitely illustrated and obi-stripped, we can't wait to hear more from this new venture and wisecracking moniker.
Review: Colemine Records has devoted itself to releasing top notch soul music for close to 20 years now. Those who follow the label closely trust the purveyor of the label (Terry Cole) enough to blindly pick up each and almost every release. The label's knack for finding and sharing some of the best versions of soul music is clearly evident from the latest by a group called The Splendids. Originally recorded in 1961, these two songs were destined to launch this talented ensemble. Two things' happened in 1962 though. Beatles music made Doo-Wop almost irrelevant overnight. In addition, members of the group got called into Vietnam. 63 years later after originally forming, the surviving three of the five members recording once again. The result is phenomenal and makes us feel like we are back in the 1950s. Only 500 copies in total have been pressed.
Review: It will shock no one that this week along, Edinburgh based label Athens of the North has a wealth of great new music out. This 7" is another one from William Stuckey. The last one came last year but sadly, only after the man himself had passed away. But they follow it up with another gem that comes with the blessing of the man's family. 'Everything That's Good In Life' has never been released before but is as good as his material gets and is sure to become another classic. ON the reverse is an alternate 7" mix of 'Hold Me Close' that cuts deep.
Review: Born on the French Island of Martinique, Louis Xavier later settled in France where he discovered the freedom of jazz, and an idea to mix his influences into a global melting pot of sound. He formed his band (Synchro Rhythmic Eclectic Language) in Paris in the early '70s, making music that was both spiritual and eclectic for its time. Both tracks are jazz in essence but with instrumental funky rhythms infused with intricate percussion and electric keys.
Review: .While Brazilian guitarist Fabiano Do Nascimento and American saxophonist Sam Gendel first met and played together at the dawn of the last decade - at a Los Angeles cafe both used to frequent, fact fans - it was only last year that they decided to collaborate on a release. The Room, the resultant album, was reportedly recorded in two days in a studio in the Californian countryside. It's an undeniably magical and sun-soaked affair, with Gendel teasing fluttering, flute-esque improvisations from his soprano saxophone while Do Nascimento delivers impeccable, finger-picking meditations on his seven-string acoustic guitar. The latter is undoubtedly a virtuoso with his own distinct style - a Brazilian take on classical guitar, incorporating nods to lesser-known regional music - but instinctively knows when to step back and allow Gendel the limelight. Impressive stuff all told.
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