Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Made up of Jun Miyake and Ichiko Aoba's live sessions held in Tokyo in November 2016 and the following February 2017, Pneuma consists of valuable recordings that had only been released in high-resolution format for distribution; the record is now finally released in vinyl format here on P-Vine. The first performance in January featured Tatsuhisa Yamamotoon on drums and the second in February made up a quartet formation with the addition of bassist Hitoshi Watanabe. The two ultra-talented musicians provide us a glimpse into how the music of Jun Miyake and Ichiko Aoba is made and this record breathes into their practice a new life.

Review: The celebration of this series continues with a reissue of the second installment of the legendary Christmas salsa album. Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe returned here to bring the unique sounds that made Volume I a Latin music classic. For this one, Colon and Lavoe were joined by renowned cuatro player Yomo Toro and legendary percussionists Milton Cardona and Jose Mangual Jr. Together, they crafted salsa versions of beloved Puerto Rican Christmas songs while mixing traditional musica jibara with Cuban guaguanco, son montuno and African-American jazz. It delivers on all fronts with vibrant, festive blends that bring real Puerto Rican authenticity to salsa fans worldwide.

Review: This remarkable live jazz workshop brings together the talents of Yosuke Yamashita, Itaru Oki, Yuji Ohno and Kimiko Kasai for an unforgettable listen. Recorded in 1970 as part of Victor's "Japanese Jazz" series, this album showcases three powerful trios-Yamashita, Oki, and Ohno-with vocalist Kasai and each artist contributes their own unique style. Yamashita led the scene with his vibrant playing, Oki brought fresh perspectives from Osaka, Ohno's versatility spanned modern to new jazz and Kasai's vocal prowess was just beginning to bloom at this time. Together, the seven artists create a dynamic two-disc trip that is full of the famous originality and intensity of Japanese jazz.

Review: 'Linear Labs: Sao Paulo' on vinyl offers a deep dive into Adrian Younge's masterful blend of analog textures and global influences. Featuring unreleased gems from projects like 'Something About April III' and Snoop Dogg's 'Don't Cry for the Devil', this LP brings together a rich array of soundsifrom Brazilian samba with Samantha Schmutz to ALA.NI's Parisian jazz and Bilal's soul-infused tracks. The album resonates with Younge's signature analog warmth and forward-thinking production. Pressed on vinyl, this release is an essential piece for collectors and fans of psychedelic soul and genre-defying music.

Review: 'Linear Labs: Sao Paulo' marks Adrian Younge's next chapter, bringing together unreleased tracks from his global collaborations. Known for blending analog warmth with modern sound, Younge delivers an exciting mix of psychedelic soul and hip-hop. The album includes highlights like 'Something About April III' and 'Don't Cry for the Devil' with Snoop Dogg, alongside contributions from artists like ALA.NI, Bilal, and Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier. Each track taps into different influences, from Brazilian samba to Middle-Eastern psych, creating a dynamic sonic experience. This CD release presents Younge's curated vision of musical innovation, a must-have for fans of his boundary-pushing sound.

Review: Adrian Younge's latest in the Something About April series is a stunning analogue opus that blends a 30-piece orchestra with breakbeats, synth work and Brazilian psychedelia. It has reportedly been years in the making and is the culmination of Younge's sonic vision as well as being his most expansive and experimental work to date. Brazilian vocalists, fuzzed-out drums and lush orchestration evoke MPB greats like Verocai and Os Mutantes and hip-hop kings Wu-Tang in equal measure. Tracks like 'Nunca Estranhos' and 'Nossas Sombras' are richly cinematic and deeply soulful standouts. More than a closing chapter, this record cements Younge's legacy as a visionary composer.

Review: Brazilian vocalist, musician and producer Hyldon De Souza Silva teams up with Adrian Younge on a brand new psychedelic Latin soul album, infused with the golden spirit of jazz, honouring both Hyldon's 60s and 70s opuses and Younge's trademark analog productions. With late drummer Ivan "Mamao" Conti on percussion, this is yet another tribute to the "Black Rio" movement in Brazil, an intoxicating infusion of Brazilian MPB and Black American rhythm & blues. The effect is major yet seductive, riffing on insporations from Marvin Gaye to Tim Maya to flatten the embossed edges of bossa nova and erotic funk, with remarkably paced and measured drumming and swirling vocal lines.

Review: Brazilian music legend Hyldon teams up with producer Adrian Younge for the 23rd edition of Jazz Is Dead. A psychedelic soul album reimagining the magic of Hyldon's 60s and 70s work through a modern lens, Hyldon's vivant vocals and poetic storytelling are paired with the rich analogue production that made Younge's name, honouring the past and yet still keeping things afresh. It also stands as one of the final recordings of the late Ivan "Mamao" Conti, the iconic Azymuth drummer and Hyldon's longtime collaborator. Fusing MPB, tropicalia, and Black American r&b, we're slack-jawed with awe at this spiritual, which elutes from the ethereal 'Olhos Castanhos' to the cosmo-funk of 'Viajante do Planeta Azul'.

Review: This unique album is a bold reimagining of the iconic sweet-soul group, spearheaded by Delfonics' lead vocalist William Hart and infused with Adrian Younge's unique, hip-hop-informed perspective. While the album features elements familiar to Delfonics fans, such as the electric sitar, french horn and lush string arrangements, Younge's approach departs from traditional production, offering a more experimental and idiosyncratic take on the genre. Drawing influence from the eccentric strains of soul and r&b adored by crate diggers, Younge's arrangementsiincorporating harpsichord, glockenspiel and electric sitariimbue the album with a sense of campy psychedelia, yet manage to avoid veering into kitsch. Hart's crystal-clear falsetto remains a cornerstone of the album, with his voice serving as a bridge between the past and Younge's modern vision. Though much of the album sees Hart performing solo, a departure from the layered harmonies of classic Delfonics, it feels organic and fitting for the material. The pairing of Hart's legendary voice with Younge's analog-driven production creates a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Tracks like 'True Love' and 'Stand Up' show how much care has been given to allow the original beauty to the focal point. A genius blend of old-school soul and modern sensibilities.