Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Two distinctive musical worlds collide here as City Pop meets with West Coast Boogie and a hint of synthwave jazz-funk for one of the coolest sounding records we've heard for a bit. Kumoko featuring XL Middleton are the artists behind it and the original 'Moonlight Magic' is all soft-focus melodies, wispy pads and filtered vocals over a killer boogie bassline. After the Instrumental comes the more laid back and sun-kissed smoocher that is 'Take To The Sky', and an instrumental of this one is also included.

Review: Given that they started out 12 years ago making soul-fired 21st century jazz-funk and bustling broken beat, it seems fitting that their latest single features the honeyed lead vocals of Xantone Blacq, an artist whose early singles explored bruk and future jazz. "You Said" is a wonderful chunk of laidback disco-soul tailor made for sun-kissed afternoons and sweltering early evening dances. Blacq is in fine form singing over the duo's Nile Rodgers style guitars, Bernard Edwards-seque bass and intricately programmed percussion. Over on the flip the pair dons their J & J guys to offer up a largely instrumental edit for those who prefer to get lost in the groove.

Review: X-Ray Ted's 'Talkin' EP' finally hits vinyl, a format perfectly suited for its timeless classic vibe. On the A-side, 'Talkin' weaves strings, horns, and guitar riffs over rolling beats and bass, topped with soulful vocals. On the flip, 'So Much' exudes infectious energy, blending vocal refrains, guitars, and horns for a soulful groove. These tracks offer a glimpse into X-Ray Ted's upcoming debut album, showcasing his talent for blending old-school sounds with a modern twist. Limited to a run of 7"s on Bombstrikes, these vinyl grooves exude sunshine vibes and feel-good warmth, destined to fly off shelves.

Review: Balear-y-eyed city pop from contemporary singer and pop musician Xiaolin, continuing her cover version releases on Bless You with another knife-edge crossing into dream pop. Having already covered 'Plastic Love' by Mariya Takeuchi and Prudence Liew's 'Afterwards', Xiaolin's is now revered as a deft rerubber of golden classics. Now comes 'Half A Dream', a version of Tina Liu's 1897 lead single, hailing from the urbane City Girl album. South Korean producer Mogwaa may back up the B-side with a remix, but for us, it's the doozy pads and laggard sample-pack hits on the A1 that make this one; the whole track sounds like one long hypnopompic awakening, as we blearily embrace the day, breathing in the downtown air.

Review: MoFunk Records boss queen Moniquea is back on the label with the boogie master that is XL Middleton. They go back to their roots here with some stylish street soul on a vital split 7". XL Middleton's first up 'I Can't Believe It' with its bright synth squirms, boogie bass and 80s drum machine sounds all topped off with plenty of cosmic funk and hip-swinging magic. On the flip is the equally bright and vivid Moniquea jam 'Get It Together' with its withering cosmic chords and gorgeous vocal all under pixelated leads that take you to the stars.

Review: Keita Sano is back on Delusions with a fresh collaboration alongside Japanese producer XTAL, following the acclaim of last year's Love Is Emotion. Renowned for his distinctive sound that marries gritty disco rhythms with touches of acid and an avant-garde sensibility, Sano has carved a niche for himself on the dance floor. His tracks are celebrated by a diverse array of DJs, including Ivan Smagghe and Hot Toddy, who find his productions to be game-changing secret weapons in their sets. The new EP kicks off with 'Broken,' a high-octane track that bursts with a loopy filter-disco groove. This energetic cut builds seamlessly towards a thrilling climax, where a sweeping string break momentarily strips away the elements before a vibrant wave of timbale fills reintroduces the rhythm, intensifying the track's drive. Next, 'Let Us Have Nice Days, The Sun' showcases a classic Italo bassline that propels the track forward with infectious energy. Dub delay effects and side-chained pads keep the momentum alive, while the bending bass synth notes add a dramatic flair without derailing the track's flow. This track is a testament to Sano's skill in blending old-school influences with modern production techniques. The EP wraps up with 'Time Passing,' a track that slows down the pace with its chugging tempo and lush, string-drenched layers. Perfect for a sunset session, this track exudes a melancholic beauty that casts a spell on the dance floor, offering a reflective and emotive conclusion to the release.

Review: Daxwood Records, led by Doyle Wood, unearths another gem from its rich archives with the release of XXCEPTION TO THE RULEia female duo featuring Vanessia Mathis and Daniela Curry. IZIPHO SOUL proudly presents two previously unreleased tracks from 1982, now available on 7" vinyl for the first time. The A-side, 'The Sweeter the Juice', is an infectious dancer driven by a funky, 'squelchy' bassline and powerful, soaring vocals. It's a groove that feels timeless, ready to ignite any soul night in 2024. On the flip, 'Angel in Disguise' offers a supreme ballad of the era, with Vanessia's emotive voice taking centre stage. The late Eldridge McMillan's piano solo is subtle yet packed with feeling, adding an extra layer of depth to the track. This release is a must for soul collectors, showcasing Daxwood's legacy and IZIPHO SOUL's dedication to preserving these rare musical moments.

Review: The ever-reliable Legofunk label has scored another big one here with four more dance floor-ready bits of disco-rooted fire. Openers XXXV Edits kick off with the cosmic vibes and expansive melodies of 'Space Bass Rooster' before Lego Edit layers up some old-school soul and funk on 'P-Man.' On the flip is the elastic bass funk of Soulbrigada's 'Hum Bello' with is flabby rhythms and great vocals then closing down is a Wandervogel's 'Mirage,' a Rhodes-laced house groove that is jazzy, lo-fi, soulful and brilliantly warm. The sort of thing Moodymann would play to a mad reaction.A

Review: Now released officially, Zackey Force Funk & XL Middleton's 'Hey MF / Phone Home' first came in a cloud of hype amid the decision by MoFunk to release "exactly ONE" copy of the test pressing to whomever proved themself keen enough to own it. We're not surprised that the label might anticipate such fan fervour, since this is a uniquely totalising modern funk gem, manifesting technically as a Johnny Chingas cover but in practice evidencing the relentlessly singular, syncretic combined production style of the LA natives. Chingas' original lyrics are invidious but infectious, a mood coaxed further out by the duo's breathy talkbox usage: "hey motherfucker, who do you think you are? you think you so much better than everybody else... what do you mean I'm a fake DJ?!"

Review: A compilation of tracks from past albums, collaborations and formerly unreleased cuts by XL Middleton, G-funk-master extraordinaire from LA. Compiled specifically for XL's recent Japan tour, this release comprises the bulk of remaining copies, which, we can vouch, flew largely off the shelves, and fast. The sole focus on G-funk, albeit in his own signature style, has proven so far effective for XL; his production style tends towards the unmistakably steezy and squeezy, and it also borders on West Coast crunk and DJ Mustard-esque ratchet at points. XL entertains wonky 808s and smooth 2-stepped blears, effectively conveying the mood of "layered back", best enshrined in the happily system-conscious track 'Unemployment'.