Funk / Reissue Recommendations September 2011

Review: Put the words "limited 12 inch" and "Stones Throw" in the same sentence and you need little more in the way of description to get people all excited. Some additional temptation is proffered by the following facts: Legend In My Mind is the second twelve inch shaped teaser from the LA imprint ahead of the forthcoming album from white soul boy trio The Stepkids; it arrives housed in a colourful printed sleeve with two jams that perfectly epitomise The Stepkids all encompassing fusion of sound - slipping in elements of jazz, funk, 60s psychedelia and punk amidst a groove that sounds wholly unique but very much at home on Stones Throw. The stoned riff haven that is "Suburban Dreams" is particularly fine.

Review: Australian label Votary releases a dinked gem 45 of sublime library funk music. Taken from the Sven Libaek & His Orchestra's holy grail album My Thing, this is quality material featuring the shimmering vibraphone from John Sangster and a tough groove. B Side ''Soul Thing'', lifted from the same album, features trombone and a dope brass section that builds and builds. Quality stuff for the funk connoisseur.

Review: The Funk Ark are a world music funk ensemble hailing from Washington DC. This lovely 45 draws influences from the African and Latin dance music scenes of the 60s and 70s as they concoct a gritty and soulful mix of afrobeat and big band funk.