Review: Destination '77: Nigerian troupe The Apostles lay down their third album Banko Woman. And, with it, this widescreen vibe excursion that's been a go-to for Afrobeat diggers since it was released on Love Day 40 years ago. "Banko Woman" is a firing, energetic funk jam layered with vibrant levels of instrumentation that gradually strip back at points to let you feel the raw tempo of the groove. "Faith Luck & Music" is at once both more bluesy, thanks to the sliding, melting guitars, and spiritual, thanks to the traditional rhythm and chords. A rare and long-awaited reissue.
Review: Cultures Of Soul have absolutely hit the nail on the head by getting Benjamin Ball on their side, and it's shed a light on one of South Africa's best boogie artists from the 80s. This is the sort of gear that'll make just about any decent collector jump with excitement, not only because of the quality of the music, but also because of its sheer rarity. The wonderfully loose "I Just Keep Dancing" is form Ball's debut LP Paulina, and it really is the sort of tune that'll please just about any sensible crowd. Ball's own vocal flex has enough funk in it to outdo the James Browns out there, and coupled with those snappy drums and raw electro bass makes means that this is the rarest of gems. Soul Clap's remix makes for a nice addition, but it's clear that no man can test the vibes of Benjamin Ball. What a killer!
Review: Taken from their forthcoming compendium Bombay Disco, Cultures Of Soul dig the dusty crates of Hindi films around the late 70s and early 80s to unearth two resoundingly fresh Bollywood bangers. Combustible Edison affiliate and all round legend Brother Cleve lets rip on "Udi Baba". Taken from 1982 film Vidhaata, he executes the perfect subtle stomp and euphoric synths behind an insanely infectious vocal message. "Koi Lutera" is an exclusive that you won't find on the album... Destination 1983, this uptempo jam comes from a film Wanted: Dead Or Alive. And with its hair-raising acid line and speedy dynamic, it still sounds wholly relevant. An intriguing lesson that leaves you wanting more.
Bappi Lahiri - "Dance Music" (Brother Cleve Studio 29 remix)
Review: Ahead of the second Bombay Disco compendium, Cultures Of Soul tease us with two show-stopping Brother Cleve edits. As with the inaugural album, this collection celebrates the subcontinent's more obscure cinematic soundtracks and what's known in India as the item number, the cabaret style dances performed in Asian cinemas. "Jab Chaye" remains in its original incarnation with mild touches on rhythm and arrangement while "Dance Music" has been given a complete flip-around with chunky jacking beats that complement the frenetic tabla drums consummately. Album teasers don't get much more exciting than this.
Gospel Ambassadors - "This Little Light Of Mine" (2:58)
Review: Having previously championed rare and little-known gospel disco, crate digger Greg Belson has now turned his attention to the world of gospel funk and gospel sound. This must-check "45" boasts two obscure, hard-to-find gems from the British DJ and re-editor's forthcoming compilation, Greg Belson's Divine Funk. The A-side offers a chance to cop Birmingham Traveleers' [sic] ultra-rare, private press cut 'Call Me Answer', where guest vocalist Henry Burton spars with the male harmony group over a flash-fried-mid-tempo funk groove. It's really rather good all told, as is the Gospel Ambassadors' flipside cover of gospel staple 'This Little Light of Mine' - a rolling, breakbeat funk interpretation that's as groovy, righteous and life-affirming as they come.
Review: Boston's Cultures Of Soul present some edits here of underrated Belizean artist Bredda "David" Obi whose musical style known as "Kungo Muzik" mixes key flavours from his home with reggae and calypso to rock and funk to formulate a modern tropical style. Years later, DJs and record collectors found his music in basements of record stores in Los Angeles and Brooklyn - some of which are featured here. Sol Power All-Stars will get you stoned into the groove with their acid-inflected rework of "Dancin'", L.A.'s DJ Duckcomb works the original's lo-slung dub influence on "Experience" while the ever reliable Justin Van Der Volgen similarly accentuates the reggae swagger of "Sunshine". A tribute to a legend!
Review: Most are familiar with Junior Byron's brilliant 1983 single "Dance to the Music", but few are well acquainted with the boogie/reggae fusionist's '85 jam "Trying to Hold On". Helpfully, Cultures of Soul has decided to reissue it for the first time, accompanying the original vocal version - a super-sweet, spaced-out synth-boogie workout complete with a thrillingly soulful and sun-kissed reggae vocal from the effervescent Byron - and stripped back "Version" (intergalactic boogie-dub of the highest order) with a fresh rework from Gerd Janson. The Running Back chief does a brilliant job in combining elements of both versions, adding more dub effects and emphasizing Byron's brilliant vocal in all the right places. It's a stunning rework of a little-known classic.
Review: Two more rare grooves purloined from Cultures Of Soul's Brasileiro Treasure Box Of Funk & Soul and delivered on a sweet 45: Celia's "A Hora E Essa" is a steamy Latin funk workout from 72; all horns, cuicas and soft, honeyed vocals. Franco's "Ei, Voce, Psiu!" takes a more US funk idea with Franco's spoken vocals giving off a strong air of bandleader as the band lock down a tight groove beneath. Watch out for samba flip towards the end. Blink and you'll miss it.
Christian Harmonizers - "Troubles Of The World" (3:02)
Gospel Travelers - "Jesus Is Watching You" (3:15)
Review: For those without an intimate knowledge of the private-press-dominated gospel scene of the 1960s, '70s and '80s, Greg Belson's forthcoming Divine Funk compilation of rare gospel-soul and gospel-funk offers a brilliant introduction to the sound - as does this sampler "45", one of a number being released ahead of the full collection. Christian Harmonizers' 'Troubles of the World', which sits on the A-side, is so rare and obscure that it has no Discogs entry. While that's no guarantee of quality, the track genuinely is sensational, sounding a lot like James Brown making gospel-funk rather than the sexually charged sweatiness he was known for. Turn to the B for another exceedingly hard-to-find treat: Gospel Travelers' more laidback, sweet, soulful and bluesy 'Jesus is Watching You'.
Review: Evans Pyramid material has been the foundations of the Cultures Of Soul imprint. The US-based boogie reissue label has put out nothing but gold over the years, but this has surely been th best gear on the label, and although both "Never Gonna Leave You" and "The Dip Drop" have been released before, this much needed repress is always welcome on our shelves. The former is a soft, hazy disco tune, but the real stunner is the latter thanks to its utterly addictive bassline and instantly recognizable vocals softly shouting "uh uh". Masterful.
Pearl Farano & The High Lights Of Joy - "Who's Your Boss" (2:53)
Zella Jackson - "Days Are Just Like People" (2:19)
Review: Greg Belson is a world leading gospel collector and DJ who had great success with his Divine Disco series. He continued his vital work with Cultures of Soul on the Devin Funk compilations series and now the label are serving up the many highlights on 7". Here we have
Pearl Farano & The High Lights Of Joy with 'Who's Your Boss', a high speed funk gem with in the pocket drum playing and energetic guitar riffs. The real star of course is the coarse vocal that cannot help but light your fires. On the flip, Zella Jackson's vocal soars next to summery flutes and raw, dense rhythm sections.
Review: Betty Griffin's 'Free Spirit' gets served up as two new remixed versions in honour of the 10 Year Anniversary of Greg Belson's noteworthy radio show, Divine Chord Gospel Show on Dub Lab. Greg himself joins up with Paulo Fulci as Divine Situation to add their own special fire to the already hot originals. Their first Downlow rework rides on some psyched-out guitar lines with the chunky, percussive rhythms riding rough below. Then, on the flip, the Maceo's dub is more smooth, streamlined and cosmic with its widescreen synth lines.
Review: Some fine Dutch funk right here. Don Gardner cover "My Baby Likes To Boogaloo" originally surfaced on Juicebox's Popcorn 69 album in 2006 and, rumour has it, the band took six years to put it out on 7" because they were busy entering their baby in dance-offs around the world! Either way, it's saturated in a fine lo-fi fuzz, dripping in R&B authenticity. Meanwhile on the flip we find a cover of Booker T's "Heart & Soul". A Hammond stroking instrumental with a slinky low-swung groove, it's the perfect counter to title track.
Review: The Brasileiro Treasure Box Of Funk & Soul gems keep flying out from Cultures Of Soul: Novos Baianos' 1970 rarity "Juventude Sexta E Sabado" is a heartfelt, yearning slice of psychedelic soul peppered with urgent Plant-level vocals while Dom Salvador & Abolicao's "Uma Vida" is the ultimate feel-good song: what begins as a funk soul tracks suddenly rips into gospel with so much gusto you genuinely can't stay still. One of the best 45s to come from the collection so far.
Preacherman Isidore Womack - "I've Got Power In My Mind" (3:12)
Allen Gauff Jr & His Combo - "I Don't Want To Be Alone" (5:13)
Review: Soon, Cultures of Soul will release Greg Belson's Divine Funk, the British record collector's latest deep dive into the world of vintage, gospel-influenced dance music. First, they're treating us to a series of sampler 45s featuring select cuts from the compilation. This one opens with Preacherman Isadore Womack's 'I've Got Power On My Mind', a laidback slab of lightly funky soul from 1978 featuring great guitar riffs and a simply superb lead vocal. It comes backed with 'I Don't Want To Be Alone' by Allen Gauff Jr and His Combo, a more up-tempo slab of gospel funk rich in righteous church organs, bongo-laced breakbeats and another impassioned lead vocal. Stellar stuff all told.
Osmar Milito E Quarteto Forma - "America Latina" (2:47)
Review: Taken from their impeccable compendium last year - The Brasileiro Treasure Box Of Funk & Soul - Cultures Of Soul unleash two of the album's sunniest cuts for a limited 45". Emilio Santiago's "Bananeira" is a rare groove anthem with a slinky, laid back arrangement and classic Brazilian use of language as a percussive tool. Osmar Milito's "America Latina" takes more western influence of the era as we're treated to a soft focus, hazy Bobby Caldwell-style delivery over a slippery jazz groove. Beautiful.
Review: While putting together last year's brilliant Tokyo Nights - Female J-Pop Boogie compilation, Cultures of Soul commissioned boogie revivalist Saucy Lady to record fresh covers of two of her favourites from the set. The Japan-born American has predictably done a bang up job. We're particularly enjoying the vocal and instrumental covers of Minako Yoshida's "Town"; while both contain a few contemporary touches - the beats are naturally closer to house than the '80s original - the synths, vocals and production touches are all faithful to the Saucy Lady's source material. She slows things down a little on the flipside, pushing her vocals to the fore on a gentle and rubbery cover of Toshinobu Kanesaka's "Honey Bee". Superb stuff, all told.
Review: When it comes to edits, Al Kent is definitely up there with the best. A selector in every sense of the word, he doesn't just highlight the best of the past, but also the best elements of those originals. Here we find him revisiting Stanton Davis's 1977 jazz funk fusion album Bright Days. Taking the first and last tracks from the set, both cuts have been reshaped to fit today's dancefloors. "Things Can Not Stop Forever" is more loop-based with an added pounding stomp. The percussion from the original's intro has been applied over the guitar lick to give the edit a real insistency and groove. "High Jazz" has undergone a similar facelift. The original's far-out intentions and unpredictability are still found in the edit, but Al's managed to tether it together by way of a solid 4/4 and more emphasis on the keys than the original's emphatic vocals.
Review: Cultures Of Soul's Brasileiro Treasure Box Of Funk & Soul unleashes two more once-rare gems on 45: recently spotted on The Man From Unkle soundtrack, tropicalia fusionist Tommy Ze gets fuzzy and frenetic with "Jimmy Renda Se". With its deep cut, loose string riff, rhythmic Q&A vocals and occasional strings, it's one of many reminders of how out there Tommy was. Flip for the equally unique and alluring "Kizumbau" where Eduardo and his troupe let us imagine what life would have been like if The Doors and Babe Ruth were Brazilian and collaborated.
Wearland Singers - "If You See Me Doing Wrong" (4:37)
The Chariettes Gospel Singers - "Nobody But Jesus" (3:01)
Review: There were tons of incredible gospel-soul and gospel-funk records made in the United States in the 1960s, '70s and '80s, though many were released in highly limited quantities for local consumption and can therefore be near impossible to find these days. Worry not, though, because Greg Belson is here to help via the forthcoming Divine Funk compilation and a series of seven-inch sampler singles. The latest opens with 'If You See Me Doing Wrong', a decidedly cosmic and low-slung cut from the Wearland Singers whose power partially stems from a mixture of energetic funk breaks and a reverb-drenched male lead vocal. It comes backed with The Chariettes Gospel Singers' 'Nobody But Jesus', a lolloping number that sits somewhere between gospel-soul and gospel-funk.
Things Cannot Stop Forever (alternative instrumental mix)
High Jazz (alternative mix)
Isis Voyage (previously unreleased)
High Jazz Reprise (alternative mix)
Odwalla (previously unreleased)
Space-A-Nova (alternative version)
Things Cannot Stop Forever (Al Kent version)
High Jazz (Al Kent version)
Review: Released in 1977 Isis Voyage was, in part, a product of jazz's identity crisis. Funk and rock had pilfered almost all its younger listeners and bold moves needed to be made. Miles Davis did it with Bitches Brew, Herbie Hancock did it with Headhunters and Stanton Davis and his Ghetto Mysticism troupe did it with this. Now re-explored through a series of alternative recordings and mixes, the frenetic funky spirit remains at the very core of this work. From the never-heard-before star-gazing shamanic crescendo "Space-A-Nova" to a mesmerising instrumental of "Funky Fried Tofu" via some interesting reversions from Al Kent, this is an exciting new chapter to Stanton Davis's most compelling narrative.
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