Mukatsuku Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Formed in 1974 with bassist/vocalist Rick Cua, drummer Tommy Rozzano, keyboardist Larry Arlotta, and lead singer/percussionist Ricky Chisholm. Their name is an acronym for the founding member's last names. After five years on the live circuit, Crac's troupe of musicians created their one and only record and self-released it in 1980. Super smooth in its delivery, broad in its style and detailed with rich harmonies, soothing instrumentation and a yacht-meets-rare-groove sense of calm and warmth, it's been a cult release ever since fetching triple figures on auction sites... until now. Sitting somewhere between the classic sounds of the Doobie Brothers and the more contemporary sun-kissed charm of Paqua, there's a timelessness to this that will last another 40 years and beyond.

Review: If you've not already picked up a copy of Mutaksuku Records' superb reissue of two of reggae musician Devon Russell's greatest Curtis Mayfield covers, we'd suggest grabbing one of these Juno exclusive white vinyl versions, which also happens to ship with a tasty wooden "45" adaptor. You may already know Russell's incredible '84 version of 'Move on Up', which re-imagines it as a languid, post-disco reggae-soul anthem that just oozes sun-soaked positivity. On this seven-inch, it comes backed by something equally as essential: the artist's lesser-known 1993 take on 'Give Me Your Love', which turns the much-loved song into a colourful, synth-laden trip through Balearic reggae territory. In a word: essential.

Review: By now, you should know Devon Russell's sought-after 1984 cover of Curtis Mayfield classic "Move On Up", a incredible, post-disco era reggae-soul revision that just oozes sun-splashed positivity. It's virtually impossible to pick up the original 45 so this dinked reissue from Mukatsuku Records is most welcome and has been lovingly remastered. The seven-inch is also notable for including another overlooked gem from Russell's even lesser-known 1993 album of Mayfield covers, "Darker Than Blue". His rendition of "Give Me Your Love" here presented for the very first time in a 45 format is blissfully glassy-eyed, colourful and hazy, giving the Mayfield classic a decidedly Balearic reggae feel via head-nodding grooves, fluid synthesizer lines and jazzy guitar solos. In a word: brilliant.Supported so far by DJ Koco & DJ Muro from Japan and Craig Charles BBC 6 Music, The Allergies,Mr Thing, Andy Smith & Boca 45 from the uk....

Review: Mukatsuku's latest must-have release offers another opportunity to own early Freddie Cruger AKA Red Astaire favourite "Take It Personally". The wonderfully dusty, smoky and life-affirming hip-hop-soul cut first appeared as a Swedish only CD single in 2001, before later being included on the Stockholm stalwart's 2006 debut album "Soul Search". This time round, the inspired original - all head-nodding beats, sumptuous strings and sugary-sweet vocals from guest Desmond Foster - comes accompanied by a previously unreleased instrumental take. This vocal-free version is superb, offering listeners a chance to wallow in the quality of the Swedish veteran's bumpin' beats and intoxicating, head-in-the-clouds production. In the record box of Danny Krivit,DJ Spinna, Kid Koala and more! Only 300 hand-numbered copies and strictly no repress. Juno copies come exclusively in additional hand stamped kraft paper inner sleeve and branded card outer sleeve. Don't sleep !

Review: Juno exclusive with free additional wooden 45 adapter.This year, a number of labels - most notably Dynamite Cuts - have been digging in to the seemingly bottomless archives of much-sampled American-Trinidadian artist and producer George Semper, a man many consider to be "the Godfather of Bay Area soul". Here Mukatsuku gets in on the act by offering up a fresh pressing of Semper-produced funk band In One Piece's rare, self-titled debut the first time ever on a 45. The vocal version on side A is superb, and features Cindy Jones singing attractively over a bustling, loose-limbed, B-Boy friendly rhythm track and sweaty Hammond B3 solos from jazz organist Rodney Franklin. The latter's mazy, jazzy keys-work naturally comes to the fore on the flipside instrumental, which has never before been heard let alone released until now. A genuine must-have for funk fans and B-Boys searching for drum breaks alike....As played by Pete Rock...DJ Koco from Japan...DJ Spinna....DJ Muro...Mr Thing....Rob Life....Rob Manga....The Allergies....Smoove..Bobbito....Rich Medina... Evil Ed...etc

Review:  The latest single from Mukatsuku is from Australian DJ/Producer Katalyst who was one of the winners at Australian Dance Music Awards in 2002. 'How Bout Us' originally came out as part of the album ''What's Happening ' on Australian label Invada in 2007 before receiving a global CD only release for BBE a year later in 2008 but up till now has never been out as a single in it's own right. The track 'How Bout Us' features vocalist Steve Spacek with an exclusive unreleased instrumental version on the flipside. Killer production with massive string lines and charismatic vocals to ignite your dancefloor.As played by Coldcut,Mr Thing, Skeme Richards , Marcel Vogel,The Herbaliser,DJ Prestige, Boca 45, Smoov,Andre One Of A Kind, DJ Gilla (First Word Records) , Huw72, Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45's), Ben Gibson,etc

Review: Mukatsuku has got another little treasure on its hands here with a tune from MBE and UK Soul legend Omar. It dates back to 2004 and has never been on 7" before having become something of a classic after original release on 12". Dons like Gilles Peterson and IG Culture were early supporters of the driving, peak time broken beat sound and the tune was often a highpoint of Omar's live sets. It has never been released as an instrumental either - until now. Both tunes now together on one 45 make for an essential cop for soul fans and, as always, there is strictly no repress on this one so move fast.

Review: The latest storming 45 from Mukatsuku is a vocal version fronted by Tyra Hammond & is classic textbook explosive femme funk with brass stabs galore and twangy southern styled guitar.On the flipside an exclusive never heard before instrumental unleashes breaks heavy b boy drums and enough melody to carry on its own merit compacted into a loud cut funky dinked 45. Juno copies come in an exclusive sleeve only available to Juno customers...As played by DJ Koco,Skeme Richards,Smoove,Charlie Dark & DJ Moneyshot from The Allergies,

Review: London funk outfit Mukatsuku are among our prime go-tos whenever we're in need of anything with a Latin edge. 'Turn It Up!' is the latest from one of the most eminent bands in their roster Opensouls: the track is a monster of a downtempo funker that leans largely into its instrumental, but features a sprinkling of euphoric vocal from the band's singing mainstay Tyra Hammond. Packed to the brim with crashing fills, bright brasses and lollicking bass licks, this is a prime set-opener and summer soundtracker.

Review: After 11 years Mukatsuku hits the 50th release on the label with the second installment of the limited edition Funk Monsters series. Two dance floor destroyers are laid bare to slay the toughest of audiences.Up first Pearl Dowdell who's surname on earlier Saadia issues was misspelt as Dowell with a killer female funk gem saving you hundreds of pounds for an original...
On the flip the lesser known super rare killer driving rare funk of Billy Cee & The Freedom Express with 'Hard Times' for peak time play which shows no mercy for your audience feet ! Juno copies come in exclusive packaging and this release is in short supply. Once it's gone ...it's gone. You have been warned !

Review: Originally out on the Practice What You Preach album from 1993, "The Plan" by German funkateers Poets of Rhythm has never been pressed up as a single, but has always remained much sought-after by the funk heads, and why wouldn't it be? It's got it all: a James Brown kind of sleaziness backed by a jump-up groove and a sliding set of organs. Wallace Brothers feature on the flip, with the rare funk blazer by the name of "What Cha Feel Is What Cha Get", a rare floor-dominator now available for your turntable. Records are your friends, Mukatsuku leads the way! As played by Mr Thing,Snowboy,Dean Rudland,Smoov etc

Review: Upfront to Juno ! New Mukatsuku 45 from America Mid West with two versions of ''Pain'' with The Boys In The Band version never seeing a commercial vinyl release and in our opinion far superior ! Little Flint's wobby intro original version sells upwards of 400 GBP when you can find a clean copy. Hand-numbered to 500 units one off limited pressing.Strictly no repress

Wayne Perry & Randy Mcnutt decided to record a version of Pain in a power Soul Rock mode which were all the range in Cincinnati, Ohio at the time of the recording around 1973.The Boys In The Band version features Wayne singing solo but was never released. What was released was the Little Flint version (a name that Wayne had chosen as an alto ego guise ) and assisted with that version by an uncredited vocalist from Alaska singing live singing on top of the same rhythm track. Other band members included Roger 'Jellyroll' Troy on bass,Jerry Love on drums,Gary Boston on guitar,Craig Shenafield & Terry Burnside on brass (all five had played on sessions/backed James Brown at certain points in their careers) plus the young B-3 Organist Terry Hoskins who was just 17 at the time.DJ support from The Allergies so far..

Review: Irresistible & essential soulful reggae funk versions from US based The Lions once again gets the revival for the first time on a dinked 45.James Brown penned and originally made famous by Lyn Collins this version has Noelle gracing the vocals for the A side and a killer vocal free version with more than enough killer instrumentation to carry it on it's own accord on the flip. As championed by DJ Koco & DJ Muro from Japan plus the likes J Rocc....Juno copies come in exclusive branded card sleeve. Only 500 one off pressing. Strictly no repress. Don't sleep !

Review: Killer modern day funk masterpiece first released almost 20 years ago by the legendary Leeds outfit led by guitarist Eddie Roberts and the first time ever on a handy 7 inch format.Still as fresh as ever fierce drum kit and twangy guitar with hammond organ stabs leads way to upfront vocals from Sulene Flemming who has worked with Bernard Purdie, Reuben Wilson, Brand New Heavies and Incognito etc. Originally released in 2001 it still sounds fresh as ever and this version comes backed with an exclusive unreleased tuff breaks heavy instrumental version. Hand-numbered to 500 copies and served in a Juno exclusive sleeve. Supported by DJ Koco from Japan ,Skeme Richards,The Allergies & Oliie Cheeba from The Herbalizer so far..

Review: Upront to juno ! In 2009, a group of seasoned funk and soul session musicians joined forces to record a rousing rhythm & blues-meets-funk cover version of Duffy's 2007 single "Mercy". Subsequently released on both Tri Sound and Acid Jazz, the track has become a must-have for soul DJs ever since.Sounding as though it might have been recorded in the late 60's it has a powerful funk driving backbeat ,thumping bass, soaring male soul vocal and screaming swirling hammond organ. Only 300 pressed. Don't sleep !

Review: As played by DJ Koco, J Rocc,The Allergies, Smoove.... Big b boy drums, punchy brass,twangy guitar and a timeless killer vocal workout from Tyra Hammond. Irresistable soul drenched funk fodder !! Initially out on New Zealand imprint On The Crate Records back in 2006 and later featured as a 12'' EP on Mukatsuku in 2007 but long since deleted the label re visits again this bonefide monster classic yet again this time in 7 inch format with a never heard before unreleased instrumental version on flipside.

Review: It seems strange that Tommy Stewart's seminal rare groove funk anthem 'Bump And Hustle Music' has never had a 45 release, but Mukatsuku has set out to address this issue with Volume 2 of their 'First Time On A 45 Classics' series. On the flipside we find Bridge's sublime version of 'Stella' via the originally unreleased album 'Crying For Love' - recorded in Boulder, Colorado in 1981. First Experience reissued that album in 1999 but this is the first time 'Stella', written by Paul Tillman Smith has been made available as a 45. Juno copies come with an exclusive hand-stamped inner sleeve and branded card outer sleeve. DJ support from Danny Krivit, Red Greg,Fleamarket Funk,The Allergies, 45Live, Peter Croce, Boca 45 and Snowboy etc

Review: Weston's curatorial crusade continues as he unearths more criminally overlooked/under-pressed rarities from the golden ages; "Losing You" comes from Courtial and Errol Knowles outstanding 1976 soul jazz album. The most straight up soul joint from the album, it's an instant sweat-fest with real guts behind both the vocals and instrumentation. Flip for the jazz funk whirlwind that is "Getting Down". Taken from their eponymous, once-super rare ($1500 per copy rare) album (also released in 76), it's an instrumental hurricane led by strings, horns and bombastically swung drums. Powerful. DJ Support from DJ Spinna,Snowboy,Sadar Bahar,Dom Servini,Faze Action,Pete Jelly Jazz,Flea Market Funk,ParisDJs.com, Marc Hype,Nicola Conte, Volcov and more