Mushi 45 Japan Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Mushi 45 is launching a new series featuring fresh edits of obscure covers of cuts by James Brown and the JB's. The first boasts two thoroughly obscure covers of "Cold Sweat". On the A you'll find a tidy tweak of a rousing, raucous and sexually charged 1968 version by El Klan, a Mexican band renowned for their heavyweight take on funk, soul and rhythm and blues. Over on side B you'll find an interpretation from the John Wagner Coalition that originally featured on their 1976 debut album, which unusually was made up entirely of James Brown covers. Their version is a little more laidback, with tons of spacey synthesizer flourishes, crunchy Clavinet lines and oodles and wild Hammond organ solos.

Review: The first release from the Ethiopian Brothers, 2019's 'Ashadwa', was a brilliant slab of Afro-funk that many erroneously believed to be a long-lost classic. In fact, it was the work of a contemporary producer associated with Jalepeno Records. Regardless, the record sounded authentically old and dusty, as does this equally as inspired sequel. 'Selassie (Part 1)' sets the tone, with the producer and his session musicians serving up a righteous Afro-funk workout rich in Tony Allen influenced drum-breaks, flanged guitars, raw tenor sax lines and killer bass guitar. Even more righteous is the flipside 'Part 2' version that showcases more snaking sax lines and some seriously infectious, chant-like vocals.

Review: The Mushi 45 series is dedicated to bringing you the finest funky cuts on cute little 7"s, stamped up with a distinctive yellow label and guaranteed to bring the groove. On this occasion Mister Mushi himself is on the buttons, offering up some cool and deadly edits to get the party juiced up good and proper. On the A side comes a slow and sizzling version of Sister Sledge's eternal 'The Greatest Dancer', pitched down and leaning heavy on the bass for a slice of warm up magic. On the flip, savour the crisp, cool breaks of 'Elements Of Hip Hop', which is all the lean and mean funk you need to get busy in a sampler or just straight up freaky on the decks.

Review: The long-running Mushi 45 label from Japan is back with another big serving of Afro-tinged funk. This 45rpm is limited to just 300 copies and features both parts of Afro Breed's Toootee. It is our first brush with this artist but we like what we hear here - 'Tootee (part 1)' has a James Brown-style take on funk with trilling acoustic guitar and tumbling drum breaks under big vocals. 'Tootee (part 2)' introduces a more libidinous sax sound that is steamy and sultry and seductive.

Review: The Ethiopian Brothers transport you to a vibrant fusion world where Ethiopian jazz, Afro drums and funk all collide. Released in 1972, this single showcases the band's mastery of traditional Ethiopian rhythms intertwined with elements of Western funk and soul. 'Ashadwa' exudes infectious energy and is driven by lively brass sections and mesmerizing vocals weaved into the dynamic arrangements next to wah way guitars and steamy sax. It is a real dancefloor heater while a version comes on the flip without the vocals.

Review: Riveting, super-punchy uptempo funk from Japan's Mushi 45 imprint, the label home of the band The Mushi Players, and whose wily curatorial wits are put on full display with this incredible new release shared with Super Eagles Band. The Players' fourteenth release, 'Sock It To Me' welcomes the newly formed Super Eagles for an enthralling sonic spectacle; part one on the A signals an unmatched taste for unisons and tightness, prepending singeing axes with gnarly vocal yaps and an overall unmatched fonk; the instrumental B-sider, meanwhile, eschews the various voxes and solos for a full-frontal exposing of the nude groove, evincing a strong taste for on-beat hat-batterings and firmly-held sax notes in their place.