Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts - "Fried Fish ’n’ Collard Greens" (2:40)
The Native Yinzer - "The Hip Strip" (2:33)
Review: The fourth edition in Original Gravity's Down In The Basement series, which gathers instrumental soul and swing cuts onto worthy 7" slabs, resounding the fervent 1960s decadal gap in which mod reigned supreme. With juleps flowing and kneecaps knocking, Abramo & Nestor bring newfangled electric pianistic swing with 'Dig It!', while a twinned "hit it!" injunction is heard from Floyd James & The GTs on the reissued 'Work That Thang'; James' voice is tubed and speed-delayed to terrific effect, achieving a sprung intonation. Curtis Baker brassifies the bonanza with the lively 'Fried Fish 'n' Collard Greens', while The Native Yinzer's exiting excitation 'The Hip Strip' quilts our ears with a mnemic, down-feathery Hammond-breaks bit.
Review: These two tracks from Mike Bandoni and Chip Wickham have been a long time coming. The two stablemates from the 'Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band' have been discussing a collaboration for years and now; and it's finally in the bag! Mike brings his trademark killer funky drums (recorded by the legendary Malcolm Catto), percussion, Rhodes, bass and vintage guitar vibes to the party, whilst Chip delivers some sublime and highly complimentary work on sax and flute. 'Infinity Pool' sounds like a long-lost Bobbi Humphrey-meets-Bob James composition, with the flute taking centre stage - underpinned by what can only be described as mammoth funk grooves on every other instrument - while 'Get It!' is a cool number, channelling a phenomenally infectious groove and hook, both of which remain in the brain for days.
Review: Terry Callier's rediscovery in the early 90s was a turning point for Acid Jazz and few records symbolise that era quite like 'I Don't Want To See Myself (Without You)'. Originally released as a one-off on the indie label Erect, the track was Callier's final release before stepping away from music, leaving behind a career that had spanned Prestige, Cadet, and Elektra. By the time Acid Jazz reissued it in 1990, the original pressing had become a grail for collectors, with prices soaring. The song itself is a masterclass in understated soul, Callier's plaintive vocal weaving through rich instrumentation with the kind of deep emotional resonance that only he could deliver. Over the next decade, his legend grewihe returned to recording, toured the UK, and finally received the recognition he deserved. In 2006, Acid Jazz gave the record another limited pressing, featuring a fresh edit from Andy Lewis. Now, with the blessing of Callier's estate, the single is back once more, backed with 'If I Could Make You'. A vital piece of modern soul history, fully restored.
Rickey Calloway & His Tennessee Band - "Do It On The One (Stay In The Pocket)" (3:10)
The Tennessee Band - "Ain't It A Crime" (instrumental) (3:06)
Review: Funk Night cop a couple of fine funk gems here from Rickey Calloway. He is an r&b singer, as well as a rhythm guitar musician and songwriter from Jacksonville, Florida. His Tennessee Band helps him serve up funk that comes direct from the 70s, James Brown style. Both of the singles here are [rimed to fire up the floor, with 'Do It On The One (Stay In The Pocket)' the more direct of the two and the flip side 'Ain't It A Crime' (instrumental) going deeper.
Review: The Brazil 45 series is pure gold for lovers of Latin sounds across the funk, jazz and soul spectrum. Each one sells out fats but usually emcees back around, as is the case with this 18th edition. It features Ely Camargo's 'Taieiras' from his Ely's 1972 album Cantos Da Minha Gente and is a lively folk-inspired track sampled famously by DJ Yoda in 2012. Despite recording 12 albums, Ely remains an enigmatic figure whose music is all we have to feed off. On the flip side, Rio sibling trio Trio Esperanca shine with their psychedelic gem from their 1971 self-titled album. Known for their stunning harmonies, the group released seven albums between 1963 and 1975 but this is one of their finest moments.
Review: Brazil 45s hit the quarter century in their run and show no sign of stopping. It's an all-girl affair on this one as two hugely popular and prolific singers take a spin under Mr Bongo's spotlight. Elizabeth (often known as Elizete) lays down a steamy samba flavour that gets raunchier as the track develops. Elza, meanwhile, gets busy on a Bossa tip as a carnival of percussion and horns go toe-to-toe with her sharp, sexy staccato vocals. Powerful.
Review: 'I'm Here' is the glorious second single from Cornell CC Carter's album, Next Life. It is a superbly seductive and go-slow stepper with neat bass riffs spaciously drawn out beneath acoustic guitar motifs and lumpy drums. The vocal is butter sweet and as the track rolls on the chords grow ever more lush. After that memorising a-side comes a modern take on Curtis Mayfield style soul complete with the steamy spoken vocals, screen string sweeps and pillowy chords. Finishing it off in style is a bassline to die for.
Review: Building on the momentum of their debut album, the legendary musicians and 577 mainstays return with Shine Hear, Vol. 2, a stunning continuation of their avant-garde exploration. Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter, pianist Leo Genovese, bassist William Parkeriwho also contributes on Gralla and Shakuhachiiand drummer and vocalist Francisco Mela, reunite to create another cosmic journey through sound. This second volume maintains the same spirit of improvisational brilliance while pushing the boundaries even further. Drawing from classic jazz structures, the ensemble weaves in modern experimentalism and a broad palette of instruments, resulting in an album that feels both timeless and innovative. The tracks and the album title are inspired by a new poem written by Carter, reflecting the transience and ceaseless motion of modern life, much like the city of New York, where all the musicians are based. This collaboration has unique magic can emerge when these legendary artists come together. Their interplay blends elegant, traditional jazz with daring, avant-garde arrangements. Shine Hear, Vol. 2 stands as a powerful and innovative work, affirming the quartet's ability to continually reinvent themselves while honouring the roots of jazz.
Review: Mr Bongo take an MPB breather, tempering their recent larger-scale ambition to reissue mammoth Brazilian disco on comp with a 7" side order appetiser of a classic Brazilian MPB track. Celia's 'Na Boco Do Sol' ('At the Mouth of the Sun') is a gestalt slice of slow-samba, bringing with it a dash of torrid soul and telenovela cinematics. The favourite Arthur Verocai collaborator sings of psychic cities and imaginariums of the soul, verifying a well-travelled spirit; Verocai himself, and Vitor Martins, both lend the song a fuzzy phonic with their guitars and strings. And on the B side comes 'A Hora e Essa, the first track from her second self-titled LP: a lively samba-funk workout, doused in jazzy piano licks, strutting guitars and punchy horns.
Review: People of Earth shakes things up for #016 with a limited 12" from Charolastra entitled Karuna. Only 200 copies pressed of this continuous play, crossover jazz release. Brought to the realization with some of ATLANTA's most talented instrumentalists. It is an amalgamation of genres but the underlying emotions are immediately recognizable. Grief, loss, regret and the transcendental power of the spirit to overcome these hardships. Blending elements of jazz, IDM, broken beat, drone, and dub, while it may be difficult to put your finger on Karuna it doesn't make it any less enjoyable.
Review: We hold our hands up, we don't know anything about Cheeba's Prestige Allstars and cannot find much out either. Echo Chamber Recordings though have got them on this limited 7" and the music is a steamy mix of Afro and Latin funk that comes in two different versions. 'Dig This!' (vocal version) is a raw cut with plenty of hard-edge drums and James Brown samples that liven it up next to some big sax energy. On the back side is the instrumental which is only slightly paired back and still has lots of James Brown mic work.
Review: Cheeba's Prestige All Stars carries on strong with its cut-and-paste beats/soul edits series. 'I Got You' tops up the trailblazing, quickfire repertoire with a dust-caked window into the past, by way of well-crafted, surround-mixed breakbeats and a gritty gospel sample on the A. Complementary to this comes the instrumental, highlighting the fact that the fact that the vocal sample is indeed the cherry on top; it hardly 'needs' said vocal to convince the listener to dance, though it does round things out with utter finesse.
Review: The Selector Series has pulled out a big one for this year's Record Store Day celebrations. Both of these tunes are imagined classics reimagined that have a fresh West Coast jazz-funk feel and arrive on 45rpm together for the first time. The A-side has a rocky feel and is a version of The Beginning Of The End's 'Funky Nassau', while over on the other side Isaac Hayes' 'Shaft' gets a new psychedelic twist. This pari of covers by The Chuck Boris Trio are as brillaint as they are obscure and will cost you well over three figures if you can find an original. Both are remastered for this 7".
Review: It might be getting cold and dark and wet here in the UK but music will always be able to transport us to warmer, sunnier, happier climes. And so it is with this new 7", which includes a booklet, from Discodelic. It's a two tracker from Cizana and La Nueva Generation that is flame hot and bristling with energy - Cizana's 'She Sold Her Soul' kicks off with its joyous flutes, hand drums and percussive Latin grooves then La Nueva Generacion slow things down and up the brass with their carnivalesque Afro-funk workout 'Uhru Sasa'.
Review: Two supreme MPB/bossa nova cuts courtesy of Mr Bongo's resident popular-musica plug Claudia. The MPB singer began her career at the tender age of nine and gained recognition in the 1960s. Her repertoire extends to samba and rock, and having put out an extensive suite of LPs, we're more than faithful in Claudia's selective brilliance, not least when it comes to her own catalogue. Here on the A we have 'Deixa o Morro Cantar', which features on Claudia's very first 7", released in 1965 by RGE: a warm, burring, brass-backed beat typhoon. And on the flip side comes her timeless version of the mythic 'Mas Que Nada', a jazzier folk-funk take on the Jorge Ben classic.
Review: 'Deixa Eu Dizer' is a timeless Brazilian classic that was famously sampled by Marcelo D2 on his iconic hip-hop track 'Desafabo' and maybe just as notary, it was also the debut release on Mr Bongo's now much loved Brazil 45's imprint. It originally featured on Cizinha's stunning album of the same name and until Mr Bongo stepped in it had never been available on a 7". 'Deixa Eu Dizer' has been a long-standing favourite with deep diggers despite its mysterious origins and this welcome reissue not only celebrates Cizinha's unforgettable contribution to Brazilian music but also brings this beloved track to a new generation.
Review: This latest is a reissue of a Congress Productions EP featuring their seminal 'Neptune'. The much-sampled early 80s jazz-funk classic comes in original form next to two unreleased cuts. The first is a rare boogie cut 'Live It Up' that has been extended for more dancefloor heft having first been dropped under the D'aile' alias as a B-side. Then comes 'Kevin's Funk' which is named in reference to Incognito trumpet player Kevin Robinson, who played as part of a Congress-associated line-up for this session.
Bembe Segue - "Mother Of The Future" (live version)
Review: Expansion's focus right now is on reissuing classic tracks alongside a newer version of it. They are all coming on tidy 10" eco vinyl in mad limited numbers and next up is Norman Connors and Bembe Segue. Connors dropped his superb 'Mother of the Future' in 1975 and it is a mad jazz dancer with layer upon layer of Afro drumming, loose percussion and expressive vocal ad-libs. Flip it over and we're taken to 2008's live version of the same tune by Bembe Segue. It's a little less intense but no less busy, with silky jazz grooves and new vocals layering in some future soul.
Review: Nicola Conte's 'Do You Feel Like I Feel' and 'Ghana' were initially part of his 2011 album, 'Love & Revolution,' a project that showcased a vibrant mix of Italian and international jazz talent. Produced during sessions at Tommy Cavalieri's studios, this album never saw a vinyl releaseiuntil now. Schema Records is rectifying this with a new 2-LP edition, set to include these standout tracks. The 45rpm single, featuring 'Do You Feel Like I Feel' and 'Ghana,' highlights the core of Conte's vision: the soulful resonance of the former and the Latin-jazz flair of the latter. Both tracks are enhanced by Magnus Lindgren's arrangements and feature Gregory Porter, whose vocals, though still emerging at the time, are already a testament to his rising status in the jazz world. With this vinyl release, Conte's modern jazz masterpiece receives the physical format it deserves, offering a fresh opportunity to appreciate its intricate compositions and collaborations.
Review: Coolin' Out's back with a fourth volume of seductive edits for those more cultured dance floors. This one kicks off with 'Solstice' which is laidback and oozes cool. Gentle drums and mellifluous synths rise up from the deep cut and slow-motion groove with plenty of cosmic edge. The tight instrumentation creates a sublime atmosphere that is both full of relaxation and subtle euphoria. The flipside, an edit of Soul Vibrations,' flips the script with dusty drum breaks, a hint of Italian Library music instrumentation and some rousing melodies that get you on edge.
Review: Grover Washington Jr's Hydra makes its debut on 45, showcasing the jazz legend's saxophone brilliance over an irresistible groove, arranged by Bob James. Originally released in 1975, its iconic drums have been sampled over 100 times, including by ATCQ and Biggie, with Black Moon's How Many MC's featuring the famous bass hook. On the flip, Seals & Crofts' Sweet Green Fields also appears for the first time on 45. The duo's Californian soft rock sound is underpinned by a catchy bassline sampled by Busta Rhymes for his 1997 hit Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.
Review: This is a first ever reissue for this lovely little jazz 7", which first landed in 1976. It was recorded just after French jazz fusion group Cortex's iconic Troupeau Bleu LP and is awash with gentle drum tumbles, twinkling keys and sustained strong sounds that bring a golden touch. The female vocal harmonies are a perfect counter for the male spoken words and the whole thing really tugs at the heart. Flip it over and there is the much more upbeat 'Back to Life' with its busy harmonica, funky drumming and rippling Rhodes work. Fantastic stuff.
Chez Madame La Baronne (Idjut Boys Fazz Junk version)
Review: Earlier this year, French disco and jazz-funk combo Chatobaron joined forces with fellow Parisian Dimitri From Paris for the rather good 'I Like (The Music That You Play)'. While that was a wholehearted disco workout, this speedy sequel sees the band (and their high-profile collaborator) explore their West Coast jazz-funk influences via an inspired workout full to bursting with killer instrumental solos, dusty grooves, memorable motifs and a genuinely killer, cowbell-sporting percussion brerak. This time round, there are no Dimitri From Paris remixes; instead, dubbed-out disco favourites the Idjut Boys are on hand to smother the track in tape echo and dub delay. The result is a typically spaced-out, low-slung affair that naturally makes the most of the band's killer bassline and layered percussion sounds.
Review: Mr. Bongo provide a stark slice of Brasiliera with a split 7" tackling star works from scene-fellows Georgette and Claudia, making up the 26th release in their esteemed Brazil-themed series. For this one, the label home in on two firm favourite artists of the 70s Rio scene, whose same two featuring tunes have already been released side-by-side by the label in 2015: Brazilian samba singer Georgette, whose 'Kirie' brings tense suspended flavours to a lively, formerly hard-to-obtain album cut from 1976; and fellow MPB vocalist Claudia's 'Com Mais De 30', a cover of Marcos and Sergio Valle's original version, which commands a springy downbeat and vocal echo. Both made famous again by their selections by various present day popularisers such as Four Tet and Gilles Peterson, Mr. Bongo clamp their mitts on the fervour once more.
Jackie McLean & Michael Carvin - "De I Comahlee Ah" (extended) (12:22)
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath - "MRA" (6:48)
Review: The cult Melodies International label run by Floating Points and Mafalda starts a new series here. Melodies Record Club will find each curated by a different guest DJ or producer with the first one selected by the always on point Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet. He picks some of the tracks he used to spin at the legendary Plastic People and first up is an extended version of 1975 tune 'De I Comahlee Ah' by jazz stars Jackie McLean and Michael Carvin. Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath takes care of the flip with the big band energy and excellent horn work of 'MRA.'
Review: This must-check dinked 45 brings together two killer and influential jazz recordings from the early 1960s. On the A-side you'll find Yusuf Lateef's inspired cover of Alen North's 'Spartacus Love Theme', a shuffling, Latin-tinged, piano-laden affair that inspired many subsequent interpretations from fellow musical titans (think Ramsey Lewis, Carlos Santana, Eddie Harris and Bill Evans, for starters). It's an effortlessly breezy and life-affirming version that stands apart from the hard-bop jazz jams that Lateef was recording at the time. On the flip you'll find the scarce 7" edit of the Cannonball Alderley Sextet's recording of 'Brother John', a cool jazz interpretation that famously features a rare oboe solo from the track's composer (and Sextet member), Yusuf Lateef.
Aniceto Molina Y Su Conjunto - "Cumbria Candela" (3:04)
Catalino Y Su Combo Negro - "Cumbia Montaera" (2:23)
Los Hermanos Martelo - "Por Las Buenas" (2:52)
La Pesada - "Cumbia Y Tambo (En La Lluvia)" (3:54)
Review: The third instalment in the 'Cumbia Sabrosa' series delves into the rich archives of Colombia's Codiscos label, unearthing a selection of tracks that exemplify the vibrant energy of cumbia. Artists such as Los Trotamundos, Aniceto Molina y su Conjunto, and Los Hermanos Martelo contribute to a compilation that seamlessly blends traditional rhythms with the dynamic flair characteristic of the sonidero scene. Each track offers a unique glimpse into the musical landscape of the era, highlighting the enduring appeal of cumbia's infectious beats.
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou-Dahomey - "It's A Vanity" (4:21)
Clement Melome Et Le Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - "Nougbo Vehou (La Verite Blesse)" (4:49)
Review: The legendary Afro funk fusionists Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Dahomey have got unlimited amounts of big tunes in their back catalogue and the fiery 'It's A Vanity' is one of them. It has fat and chunky drums with trademark horns leading the way next to the impassioned vocals. The tune twists and turns on a vibe as it funks you up and then on the flip is the more lo-fi and stripped back, earthen funk sounds of 'Nougbo Vehou' (La Verite Blesse). Anotehr killer 7" reissue from this great collective.
Un Dos Tres Y Fuera Vs Gaudi & Don Letts - "Relafica Negra En Tiempo De Siembra" (Gaudi & Don Letts aka The Rebel Dread) (3:49)
Cumbia Moderna De Soledad - "Busca Perro" (Greg Foat & James Thorpe remix) (3:52)
Review: Cultural icon Don Letts joins forces here with the masterful musician Greg Foat and producer James Thorpe to make a new entry into the Relatin project series. It is one where artists engaged with Latin musical roots from another era and update them for the here and now. Here they bring plenty of heavy dub vibes and great special awareness to a tune by Venezuelans Un Dos Tres. Greg Foat & James Thorpe also step up with a remix that is just as heavy and summery.
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