Review: The classic 1982 funk anthem 'Don't Fight The Feeling' by American r&b and funk band One Way gets a fine 12" pressing here, which means it can be played nice and loud. Singer Al Hudson leads the way with his buttery vocal, while a stepping and broken rhythm with lovely dry claps and w sloppy synth squeal make for a pretty unique sound given when this was first recorded. On the flip side, Windjammer's 'I Thought It Was You' offers a more mellow, melodic contrast full of the band's signature blend of r&b and jazz with cooing, heart-melting vocals and a nice stepping rhythm that lovers of UK street soul will surely be drawn to.
Review: Osaka-incubated instrumental jazz and hip-hop group Wa Yo Set take their next big stride with a sure-to-be infamous new cover of a Notorious B.I.G. classic, 'Mo Money Mo Problems'. With Biggie having spat near infinite wisdom on this playful pop diversion - "it's like the more money we come across the more problems we see" - this killer 7" version takes heed, limiting its quantity to fewer than 1000, in case demand outstrips supply and concerns of fan rapaciousness bubble over. With a superb remix from DJ Koco on the B.
Review: Surely even he has lost count of how many tunes he has sung on now, yet still Robert Owens remains the most in-demand vocalist in the game. His smoky tones feature on Nat Wendall's 'Easy' and they come with a brighter tone than usual next to the nice piano chords which are draped over upright beats. As well as an instrumental, Kaidi Tatham remixes with his brilliant broken beat style and sunny synth disposition, and he also adds his own spin to the instrumental. A timeless package.
Review: Whatitdo Archive Group goes deep with Wild Man, diving headfirst into the eerie side of holiday folklore. This isn't your average Christmas fare; Side A's 'Wild Man' pulses with heavy, driving bass and swirling wah-guitar that captures the energy of dark legends like Krampus and the Yeti. On the flip side 'Greensleeves' takes on a haunting Ethio-jazz edge, stretching the familiar tune into shadowy, hypnotic territory. Each track is a bold reimagining, blending ancient mythology with grooves fit for any late-night winter gathering that dares to step off the beaten path.
Review: Ralph White's early ventures into disco are finally gathered in one place with the first official anthology of his 1978 recordings at Sydney's Albert Studios. Better known at the time as a session player and producer in the city's studio scene, White was tapped by M7 to craft four disco pieces aimed at an emerging dance market. Over just two days in the studio and a small group of local players - including a young Tommy Emmanuel - he recorded four standout cuts, together which remain some of the most refined Oceanian disco ever put to tape. Though the original 12"s saw limited success domestically, M7's distribution push into markets like Canada, India and Argentina helped cultivate a quiet cult following. Now remastered and housed in a deluxe spot-UV sleeve with inserts featuring new liner notes and White's biography, this reissue shines overdue light on a forgotten chapter in Australian dance music.
Review: Whodamanny's Biloba sublabel on Periodica Records takes us into dark, hypnotic sax-driven sounds here with a new single that comes with four unique versions. The Club mix of 'Volveran ' features chanting vocals and neon-hued pads over tinny electric disco beats with some big sax stylings. TehSax Only does what it says on the tin and the Radio mix condenses this energy into a spellbinding pop gem while the Dub version removes the sax, highlights delayed drums, cosmic chords and sunlit guitar riffs and tops it with hazy vocals. These are lively, retro-future disco delights that are sure-fire crowd-pleasers.
Review: The fifth release on the rather mysterious Wicked Disco encapsulates the dazzling spirit of classic disco, channelling the soul of the late 70s with a sound that feels vintage but also revitalised. This one-sided edition bursts to life with a bold horn section that immediately grabs attention, paired with shimmering strings that weave a lush, cinematic backdrop. Add a deeply emotive vocal performance that elevates the groove into something truly joyous and layers of vibrant rhythms and intricate instrumentation and bang - you'red transported to an era of glamorous nightlife.
Review: Greg Wilson and The Reynolds first teamed up in 2015 for 'Summer Came My Way' as a vocoder-topped summer twinkler, backed up by sweltering handclaps and gutting electric pianistic held notes. The Merseyside DJ and producer is alleged, at least as far as Discogs bios go, to have pioneered the UK electro scene, though his collaborative sensibility with twins Katherine and Carmel Reynolds here proved otherwise downbeat but munificent in emotion, compared to electro's later superlatively harsh, snappy, two-step snarings. The Balearic soul of 'Summer Came My Way' as deserving of its new ambient version, and it is the real highlight here, manifesting before us dazzlingly with its scatted lyrics and acid torsions.
The Wonderland Band - "Thrill Me" (Joe T Vannelli Classic mix) (5:51)
The Wonderland Band - "Thrill Me (With Your Super Love)" (8:05)
Pure Energy - "Party On" (Vannelli Bros Classic mix) (7:31)
Pure Energy - "Party On" (8:24)
Review: Use Vinyl looks back to two iconic tracks from the 70s and 80s here for source material for a new remix EP by the Vannelli family. Joe T remixes 'Thrill Me' by The Wonderland Band into the sort of direct and funky house sound that brims with early dance music charm while the Vannelli Bros offer their rework of 'Party On' by Pure Energy which comes with plenty of energy for club contexts. Both tracks are presented as Classic Mix versions and bring plenty of new life to the original hits without forgoing the timeless, catchy and meaningful melodies that define the originals. House music like this is as authentic as it gets.
Review: Osaka's acclaimed jazz-funk band Wa Yo Set are back with a highly anticipated third album. This release marks the arrival of another gem that captures the essence of the group's signature urban folk sound, or as they call it 'ADM, Acoustic Dance Music. Seamlessly blending influences from jazz, hip-hop and r&b, the record is a dynamic and multidimensional musical trip with an innovative crossover of styles that all push boundaries. There are wiggling instrumental funk workouts, fly moments of introspection like 'Tonight Is Boogie Back Nice Vocal' and much more besides.
Review: Bristol trio Waldo's Gift unleash their debut album, a blistering and maximalist guitar record brimmign with improvisational prowess, their music a thrilling blend of prog-metal, math-rock and the more intense ends of electronic music. Tracks like 'Candifloss' and 'Malcolm's Law' showcase the band's technical skills and their ability to create complex and captivating soundscapes, while 'The Galli' and 'This One is Improvised' offer a glimpse into their free-flowing, improvisational approach. Recorded live with no overdubs, the album captures the band at their most raw and unfiltered, pushing the boundaries of their instruments and their own musical limits.
Behind The Disguise (feat Marina Quaisse
- Closing) (1:22)
Review: An essential work in the trip-hop landscape, now reissued to offer a fresh chance to experience its cinematic soundscapes and genre-crossing influences, weaving samples from jazz, hip-hop, soul and film scores into a cohesive, evocative sonic tapestry. Tracks like 'Que Sera', 'Ungodly Fruit', and 'How I Feel' showcase his unique ability to craft lush, atmospheric beats reminiscent of RJD2 or Portishead's Geoff Barrow. A key part to the success of this release, is the use of samples - ranging from classic hip-hop to cinematic dialogue - with some tracks, particularly those featuring orchestral arrangements, stand out for their unusual intricacy, with 'Hypnosis Theme' and 'Our Dance' exemplifying Wax Tailor's mastery of blending classical elements with laidback rhythms.
Review: Norwegian pianist and composer Bugge Wesseltoft, a jazz innovator known for the diversity of his sound, is back with 'Am Are,' which is an expressive exploration of many sonic textures and dynamic contrasts. This album showcases Wesseltoft's inspiring collaborations with a constellation of superb musicians who bridge generations and styles. From sparse arrangements to complex layers of dubs and loops, Am Are highlights the power of human connection through improvisational interplay. Wesseltoft's curated selection demonstrates his passion for projects that spark creativity and celebrate the beauty of musical communication and make another fine addition to his catalogue.
Review: Ben Westbeech returns with his first solo full-length since 2011's There's More To Life Than This, marking a new chapter in a varied career as a singer-songwriter, DJ, hit producer and curator. The Glitterbox release hears Westbeech step back from the mic to focus fully on production and arrangement, bringing together a cast of musicians to channel a message of self-empowerment and inner peace, through pristine delays, diachronic desert grooves and a freed disco-bedience. Joined by fellows RAHH, Dames Browbn and Obi Franky, Westbeech's latest is a full-length ode to changing times and inner openness.
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