Review: Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and his Playboys were an iconic funk group of the late 70s who had big hits with the likes of Gil Scott Heron on his seminal 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' single. A year later on the same label, Flying Dutchman, they served up the 'Heavy Soul Slinger' single which gets reissued here. It's driven by big drum breaks and funky hits, with plenty of lush chords and rolling basslines all taking you on a high class and sophisticated trip. On the a-side is Harold Alexander 's 'Mama Soul' from the same era, but with a much more experimental sound rooted in wordless ad libs and frantic flutes.
Review: This 7" reissue revives a true funk gem from Miami-based Cuban rock band Pearly Queen. Featuring the infectious 'Quit Jive' In' and a fiery cover of The Rascals' 'Jungle Walk,' this 1974 release on Sound Triangle Records has long been a sought-after rarity. Introduced to collectors by DJs like Keb Darge and Jazzman Gerald, and later immortalised by DJ Shadow in his Brainfreeze mix, the record oozes groove. 'Quit Jive' In,' penned by Ray Fernandez, is a funk powerhouse, while 'Jungle Walk' brings a cinematic rock-funk flair, perfect for a Tarantino soundtrack.
Review: It has now been three years since Matasuna Records unveiled a scorching Latin 45 showcasing two tracks by Venezuelan ensemble Phirpo y sus Caribes, led by Porfi Jimenez. Now, Matasuna is reissuing two more cuts from their sole album, Parrilla Caliente, this time on a 7" vinyl - a debut for these tracks in this format. The original 1972 album, a scarce collector's gem on Philips, holds official licensing from Jimenez's family. On the A-side, 'Y Esa Pava Que?' ignites with Latin funk fervour and is driven by robust drums, potent horns, and groovy, psychedelic keys and guitars. The B-side features 'Pa' Los Rumbero,' a vibrant rendition of Tito Puente's classic, showcasing Jimenez and his band's exceptional musicianship.
Review: It's five up for the Palmetto Street label and this one finds them turning to Ben Pirani & The Means Of Production who manage to again find new ground in this great EP. The lead single from the 7" is a soft and melancholic sad song with none other than Brian Jackson (who collaborated with Gil Scott Heron) playing the flute parts. He cuts through the smokey mood with daring harmonies while on the flip things get even more forceful with 'Something So Precious'. Pirani goes it alone on the vocals for this one while a strong quartert adds the sumptuous melodies.
Review: 'Practice What You Preach' is a standout track from the German funk band Poets Of Rhythm's debut record of the same name, first released on Soulciety in 1993. After a long hiatus on the albums front before a return to the limelight with a follow-up Ninja Tune LP in 2001, these guys nonetheless remained surely active on the 7"s circuit, which has sustained them since then. Little did we know or predict, however, that there existed a part two to the same track, which is essentially an instrumental version of the original 1993 track. On the B comes a fresh funker formerly released under the alias Mighty Continentals, with the band's Bo Baral laying down a rare solo guitar situation and singing about, well, god knows what.
Review: The 62nd single in Mr Bongo's long-running Brazil 45s series is notable for containing Jose Prates' "Nana Imboro", a deep, hypnotic and intoxicating samba cut that was initially recorded and released way back in 1958. Relatively slow and steady by samba standards, its chanted refrain is thought to be the inspiration for Jorge Ben's much better known "Mas Que Nada". Wisely, Mr Bongo has backed Prates' sublime original with a 1960 cover by obscure Polish outfit Wroblewski Jazz Quintet. This dispenses with the chanting, instead increasing the number of intertwined horn parts. Given that original copies of the rare Polish EP it first appeared on will set you back serious money, it's great to see this fine cover included here.
Review: Principles Of Joy, the dynamic French soul outfit, joins forces with Germany's Unique Records for their latest release, 'Mermaid's Tale.' Led by keyboardist and composer Ludo Bors, the band, fronted by the captivating Rachel Yarabou, delivers a potent blend of deep soul with psychedelic and hip-hop elements. The title track seamlessly blends fantasy and reality in a psyche soul mood. Yarabou's smooth yet intense vocals glide effortlessly over the lush instrumentation, including heavy bass, hip-hop-inspired drums, and dreamy Rhodes and guitars. Meanwhile, 'Kick Off The Road' picks up the pace with its bluesy verses and funky choruses, showcasing the band's Stax and James Brown influences. Yarabou's spirited delivery tells the tale of a girl determined to forge her own path, echoing themes of freedom and women's emancipation. With its dynamic arrangements and compelling storytelling, Principles Of Joy's collaboration with Unique Records is a refreshing addition to the soul music landscape, blending traditional and contemporary elements with finesse and flair.
Review: The American Latin-jazz group, formed in 1959 and led by Henry 'Pucho' Brown, Pucho And His Latin Soul Brothers first released these remixes of their 'Sidewinder' and 'Got Myself A Good Man' back in 2014. It's a classic bit of future jazz and electronic fusion that will bring some streamy South American vibes to any party. 'Sidewinder' is the real highlight with its jangling rhythms and big horns, steamy synth sounds general good vibes and sunny sounds. Get this reissue before it disappears fast, as did the original.
Review: Spanish Ethio-jazzers Pyramid Blue return with their latest 45 rpm rotunda on Discos Martos. Another one signalling the best of this rather recherche band's evolving sonics, they here team up with with Habiba Chaouf, a talented Arab singer deeply rooted in Spain's flamenco scene. Habiba's mesmerising vocals bring a rich layer to the A-side, where identifiably Arab melodies intertwine seamlessly with deep Afro-funk rhythms. 'Amal' means "hope" in Arabic, suggesting themes of longing, uncertainty, and soul-search. The B-side's 'La Esperanza', meanwhile, adds a touch of 70s film soundtrack bombast, combined with a whispered mid-record rap.
Review: Over the years, Sam Shepheard's work as Floating Points has become increasingly ambitious, moving further away from his dancefloor roots and closer to spiritual jazz, new age and neo-classical. Even so, it was still a surprise when Shepheard announced Promises, a 46-minute piece in 10 "movements" featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. It's an undeniably remarkable piece all told; a constantly evolving fusion of neo-classical ambience, spiritual jazz and starry, synthesizer-laden soundscapes notable not only for Sanders' sublime sax-playing and Shepheard's memorable melodic themes, but also the intricate, detailed nature of the musical arrangements. It's a stunningly beautiful and life-affirming piece all told, and one that deserves your full attention.
Review: Jeff Parker and his ETA IVtet are back with their first new music since 2022's Mondays at Enfield Tennis Academy. The album delves into improvised jazz grooves and features longtime collaborators Anna Butterss on upright bass, sax from Josh Johnson and Jay Bellerose on drums. The compositions are carefully crafted to capture the essence of a single night's setlist and reflect the unique atmosphere of the now-defunct Enfield Tennis Academy. Parker channels this space into a beautifully layered and dynamic piece that builds intricate, shifting textures from simple musical ideas that evoke a rich, immersive listen.
Review: Recorded this time last year at La Picola Scala in Paris, 'Blue In Green' sees acclaimed French pianist Paul Lay join forces with drummer Dre Pallemaerts and bassist Clemens van der Freen to pay tribute to one of his heroes: jazz great Bill Evans. The results are as inspired as you'd expect, with Lay channelling the spirit of Evans - one of the finest jazz pianists of all time - while putting his own spin on proceedings. After beginning with covers of two tracks Evans made his own - 'Minority' and the deep, beautiful 'Alice in Wonderland' - the trio treats us to fantastic interpretations of some of Evans' most renowned compositions, 'Blue In Green', 'Peri Scope' [sic] and 'Two Lonely People' included.
Review: Pet Shop Boys' 15th album, nonetheless, produced by James Ford, brilliantly blends widescreen pop with dance influences. Written during lockdown, it shifts away from pure bangers to a more reflective tone, reminiscent of their earlier work like Behaviour and Elysium. The nostalgic feel begins with the artwork and continues throughout the tracks. 'Loneliness' starts the album, growing in appeal with each listen. 'Feel,' a heartfelt romantic track, and 'Why Am I Dancing,' originally for their forthcoming musical, showcase Neil Tennant's expressive vocals and Chris Lowe's signature production touches. 'New London Boy' reflects on past experiences with both sadness and joy, featuring Tennant's return to rapping. 'Dancing Star,' about Rudolph Nureyev's defection, fits better within the album's context than as a single. An orchestral presence adds elegance to the production. The hi-energy of the first half transitions to a more subdued second half, with standout tracks like 'A New Bohemia' and the quirky 'The Schlager Hit Parade.' 'The Secret of Happiness' is a stunning, 60s-tinged epic, reminiscent of a James Bond theme. The album concludes with 'Bullet for Narcissus' and 'Love Is The Law,' maintaining the duo's unique flair. nonetheless no doubt reaffirms Pet Shop Boys' place in pop, oozing class and confidence.
Tambores De Enrique Bonne - "Como Arrullos De Palma"
Ricardo Eddy Martinez - "Expresso Ritmico"
Los Papines - "Solo De Tumba Y Bongo"
Grupo Sintesis - "Aqui Estamos"
Los Van Van - "Llegada"
Grupo Raices Nuevas - "Baila Mi Guaguanco"
Luis Carbonell - "La Rumba"
Orquesta Riverside - "En Casa Del Trompo No Bailes"
Juan Formel & Los Van Van - "Llegue, Llegue"
Grupo Los Yoyi - "Tu No Me Puedes Conquistar"
Los Papines - "Para Que Niegas?"
Grupo De Experimentacion Sonora Del ICAIC - "Cuba Va!"
Raul Gomez - "Luces En La Pista"
Los Brito - "El 4-5-6"
Leo Brouwer - "Tema De El Rancheador De La Naturaleza"
Ricardo Eddy Martinez - "La 132"
Los Reyes 73 - "Finalizo Un Amor"
Review: Given that Gilles Peterson and Stuart Baker's Cuba: Music and Revolution - Culture Clash in Havana is one of the standout compilations of 2021, hopes are naturally sky-high for this speedy sequel. Like its predecessor, volume 2 focuses on music and made and released on the Caribbean island between 1975 and '85, this time round largely focusing on rare fusions of salsa, Latin jazz, disco, soul and funk, mostly licensed from records that have never been available outside Cuba. It's another stunning selection all told, with highlights including the heady Cuban disco/salsa fusion of Orquesta Los Van Van, the fiery disco-funk of FA 5, the heavily percussive hedonism of Luis Carobonell and the fuzzy psychedelic rock of Grupo De Experimentacion Sonora Del ICAIC. In a word: essential.
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