Review: Mike Bandoni returns with Crate Breaks Vol 6, the latest installment in his renowned series. This record is a great tool for adventurous DJs, featuring eight drum fills perfect for slicing into mixes. Each side of the album offers a rich array of segments to elevate any set. Side-1 includes the breaks named 'Diggin In The Pit,' 'Dream State,' 'Hold Fire,' and 'Swing By,' while Side-2 boasts 'Love Scheme,' 'Space Kool Moon Dance,' 'Party,' and 'It's Still Good.' As you can see from the names, these are sure to get the party going. True to its Funk genre roots, this release from Drumstream is ideal for DJs seeking fresh, phat drum segments.
Review: Legendary Bristol-based funk and breaks master Boca 45 is back with more of his battle-ready DJ tools. This 7" takes the form of a second volume of Tools on the Cold Beer Music label and it offers a brilliant brace of cut n' paste, surefire party starters and floor fillers. 'Kick That' has old school feels with classic piano chords from a certain Fatboy Slim tune that really will get the floor going mad. 'Unwind Your 909' taps into another iconic sample, this time from a sax, with break-neck breaks and plenty of chopped-up energy.
Review: "Breakbeat" means many different things to many different people; perhaps among Juno's customers, the term signifies hard-edged apocalpytic bangouts against judderingly dark soundscapes, completely missing the trick of the fact that its earliest form was a kind of hip-hop that simply emphasised the funk backbeat as a central part. The Breakbeat Junkie are more than worthy reps of the latter category; they here bring the whopping 14th instalment of their Toxic Funk series to the fore, with two funky cuts from the beat master The Breakbeat Junkie himself.
I Know You Got Soul (Mister Mushi Special vocal mix) (4:00)
I Know You Got Soul (Mister Mushi Special instrumental mix) (4:03)
Review: Bobby Byrd's classic 'I Know You Got Soul' was originally recorded with James Brown's band The J.B.'s back in 1971 and soon became a club staple. It has endured in original form ever since but now it gets subtly reimagined by Mister Mushi. He offers a fresh, funky remix that's perfect for both crate diggers and DJ sets with the standout feature being the open drum break, which is a percussion lover's dream and has been designed to be sampled and looped for fun. Mister Mushi's impeccable mix stays true to the original funk spirit and the whole thing has been pressed on high-quality vinyl so it sounds superb.
Review: This new series brings forth a fusion of late 60s/early 70s Funky Rock Breaks from around the world, promising dancefloor action for Hairy B-Boys and Head-Banging Breakers alike. Side-1 kicks off with 'Good Thing Going (Put It On A Record),' blending guitar riffs, big beats, rock vocals, and rap phrases to ignite any party atmosphere. On the Side-2, 'Whole Lotta Drugs!' delves into the wild world of groupies and illicit substances, featuring an obscure brassy cover of a classic rock track with added beats and samples for a backstage after-party vibe. Released on limited edition purple and black vinyl, this series delivers a high-octane soundtrack for the upcoming festival season.
Review: Posthuman's Balkan Vinyl imprint is back with a third installment in the Kanlab series. Chevron is at the buttons and on a clear mission to destroy the dance floor with fresh acid explosions. This latest limited 7" starts with 'Manctronix', a manic mix of brutal breakbeats, fizzing acid madness and eerie vocals that are chopped up and well deployed throughout the mix. There is even more of a prickly and unruly texture to 'Unity' which spits out all manner of sounds on a constant basis, never letting you lock in and instead staying firmly on the seat of your pants.
Review: Crash Party kicks off the new year with a high-energy return to Breakbeat Paradise's Toxic-Funk series. Fresh from his debut album Everything Happens for a Reason on Big Beat Sunday, he delivers two explosive party anthems. 'Tribe Called Wonder' blends classic breaks with an infectious groove and legendary rap flows for instant dancefloor impact. On the flip side, 'Break On' slows the tempo but keeps the funk alive with heavy grooves and old-school rap hooks. This one is packed with vintage vibes and modern flair that makes it stand right out.
Review: As the man behind so many of the beats for Jurassic 5, not to mention an in-demand producer in many other places, Nu Mark has got chops for days. Roaming free on his own Hot Plate label, last year's Run For Cover was loaded with crisp, seriously funkified gems, and now two of the best have been pressed up as a tidy 7" for all those who love their platters compact. On the A side, 'Everybody Everybody' throws some tropical tones and exuberant organs into the blender with tough boom bap and plenty more besides, making for one sunny blast of a tune. On the flip Danny Drive Thru pops by to add some irreverent vocal madness into the mix on 'Break Ya Neck'.
Review: Cold Diggin' kick off a new series here that is designed to acquaint you with the talents of 'The Dude Ya Love To Hate. We can't find out much information about he, or she, or them, but can only assume more is to come given this 7" has its own catalogue naming convention. This first limited one-off pressing comes on one-sided black vinyl with a silk screen print. 'I Like Your Stye' is raw and irresistible jungle, library and funk fusion from front to back. A great one to cop, and a great new artist to keep tabs on for sure.
Review: The limited edition Florence Funk sub-label returns with a ninth volume of steamy sounds, this time with a pair of rare gems pressed up to wax. 'Hey Mama' opens up with some psyched 60s guitar bringing a great lead to some raw instrumental funk beats while a guttural male vocal finishes it off up top. Flip it over and you'll find 'Gimme', a more celebratory sound with some big horn leads and plenty of percussion detailing the percolating drums. Both of these are sure to heat up any floor this winter and beyond.
Peggy Lee - "Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay" (Wonderlove edit) (3:55)
Review: French label Battle Weapons does it again here with another superb reissue of a dynamic fusion of vintage soul-jazz and catchy beats. They come from Hardly Subtle featuring Peggy Lee, whose iconic vocals soar over Hardly's masterful production to utterly alluring effect. The track pulsates with a gently infectious energy and infuses organic drums with modern electronic rhythms. It is a great one among many from Peggy Lee, and on the flipside you're treated to a superb Wonderlove edit of her sumptuous take on the Otis Reding classic 'Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay'.
Review: The Incredible Bongo Band were a loose studio collective interpreting classics of the day in their own inimitable percussive fashion .They are of course most famous for their ultimate b-boy classic version of "Apache". This particular 7" however features two Incredible Bongo Band cuts that have not previously featured on any albums. "The Riot" is a frenetic drum workout and has been championed by the likes of the Chemical Brothers. "Ohkey Dokey (Part 2)" takes on a somewhat more subdued hue in comparison, but has some dope funky clavinet in the mix. Well worth checking.
Review: A chance to own this much loved pre-album classic from King Kruke aka Southwark-raised Archy Marshall on a neat 7". The track, originally issued in 2012 on the Rinse label, has all the hallmarks that would make Marshall famous, namely a lilting, emotionally direct vocal performance, some rather nifty guitar work and some rough cut breakbeats with a lovely whiff of bedroom production about them. The flip, meanwhile, is adorned with an instrumental version, making this quite the all round desirable item.
Review: Mega-sick big breaks from Brighton's Krafty Kuts, flipping undocumented verses from an earlier collab between the producer and verbalist TC Izlam, 'Ill Type Sound'. Every beat hits with huge plantar weight here, with kicks and reverso-claps rooting themselves in sonic continual soils. The original mix features here too, with twisty scratches, pan pipes and turntablist's kick rolls bringing a distinctively kitsch, jazzy, De Wolfe samply feel. "We got the groove, we got the sound, we got the vibe to make you get down!"
Review: Serbia's Disco Fruit crew has been putting out lush sounds that take in funk, breaks and soul influences on top of their bread and butter disco grooves for years now. This time they welcome back a label regular, Loshmi, who has put out plenty of edits here before now. His new one 'Dark Night' is a 60s-tinged high speed spy theme with funky brass and bristling drums all overlaid with rock-styled vocal yelps. The instrumental on the flip is a more paired back but just as hustling groove.
Review: Mako & Mr Bristow return with Stank Soul Edits Vol. 7, delivering two soul-infused sister-funk tracks. 'One Sweet Bomb' enhances the original's arrangement with added bass and drum elements, aligning it with the golden age of soul. On the flip side, 'Why Do You Bass Me Up?' transforms an uptempo funk pieceioriginally lacking a basslineiinto a dancefloor-ready banger, thanks to contributions from former Big Boss Man bassist, The Hawk.
This duo really know how to revitalise classic sounds for contemporary audiences.
Review: Japanese heavyweights HHV continue their ongoing trawl through the back catalogue of long-serving hip-hop producer, DJ, record collector and self-styled King of Diggin', Muro. Here they present the second part of the dusty-fingered hero's turn-of-the-millennium Pan Rhythm series of 12" singles, this time presenting it on a tidy seven inch single. 'Hip-Hop Band' is a weighty, floor friendly, horn-heavy re-make of the Stetsasonic song of the same name, with local mic man Boo delivering tweaked versions of the U.S crew's verses in his native Japanese. While jazzy, the bombastic backing track - which can be heard in full on the flipside instrumental version - is forthright and club-ready, making the single a must-have for working hip-hop DJs and those who love the more up-tempo end of the rap spectrum.
Review: Breakbeat Paradise's Toxic Funk series rolls out a ninth volume here with two more powerful cuts. These come from Paul Sitter and Crash Party who together cook up plenty of horn-lead action on 'Don't Touch Me.' It has old school bars and some retro synth work that all adds up to a full thrill funk banger. 'Wake Up' is another raw and raucous one with big rock guitars and slamming drums. A b-boy hip-hop vocal is paired with yelping female vocal samples and the crispy drums never let up. Two dynamite tracks for sure.
Review: Breakbeat Paradise invites back onto their island once more for a tenth volume of the on going Toxic Funk series. This is another vital 45rpm for DJs which will blow up any spot with b-boy sounds and edgy breaks. 'Hang On The City' offers up some tightly woven in, Kendrick-like bars while on the flip, 'The Funk Is Yours' is a more coruscated and disco tinged tune with a searing bassline and mid tempo drum loops as well as retro rap vocals and lively yelps.
Review: The Jalepeno label is a famously fiery funk outlet that serves up more of that dance floor heat here. It comes from Skeewiff's One Sample Short Of A Lawsuit EP back in 2000 and gets pressed to its own tidy 7" here. As the title of that EP suggests, this is music that mashes up the past with a serious of sizzling samples over driving rhythms. 'Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya' is real horn led b-boy stuff with crashing breaks, and on the flip is 'Man Of Constant Sorrow' with its nagging and iconic vocals over a more country-fried funk beat.
Review: Suckaside, a creative artist with a deft touch in beat composition, sampling, and mashups, delivers a dynamic offering with Toxic Funk Vol 15. 'Sometimes Bootyful' is a piano-laden funk jam driven by a tight breakbeat that's both hip and infectious. The track seamlessly blends elements of house into its groove, making it accessible to pop fans while staying true to its funky roots. The addition of rap verses adds an extra layer of appeal, making this track a standout. Bringing in 90s funky rhythm vibes, 'Sugar Face' on the B-side cleverly incorporates hooks from D'Angelo's 'Brown Sugar.' This track is a 7" gem for funk and R&B lovers, combining nostalgic grooves with a modern twist.
Review: Cold-pressed 'Juice On Wax'! Voodoocuts' reshapes series hears the DJ and producer reimagine his many hip-hop, Latin soul, breaks, cumbia and funk favourites for the modern ear. This time, we've a verdant detoxifier hand-blending sonic spinaches, gingers and pomes, taking form as a two-gulp mixture, 'Yes You Can' and 'Bailen mi Cumbia'. The former is a Tribe Called Quest repro deconstructed and reconstructed from scratch, with only the original verison's acapella surviving the blade; otherwise, we've a restorative hangover cure of vibraphone and tremolo-crunk. The second reworks Jimmy Fontanez into a psychedelic post-cumbia come organic house medpak, a second burst of discoid dialysis for the ear otherwise deprived of sweetness.
Review: The Breaks and Beats label kicks on with a 31st instalment of magical sound that will inject soul and funk into any party and keep working DJs well stocked with heat this winter. First up on this limited 7" is The Webs with 'It's So Hard To Break A Habit', a slow and sentimental sound with aching v vocal harmonies and gentle rhythms laced with melancholic melodies. Gamith's 'Darkness' picks up the energy levels with some more bristling breaks and live drum sounds, funky vocal stylings and psyched-out guitar lines.
Review: The Winston Brothers make a triumphant return with two new tracks, this time pressed on striking blue vinyl, following the success of their 2022 debut Drift. The A-side, 'Straight Shooter,' is a full-throttle funk workout, packed with gritty guitar licks, sharp horns, and head-nodding drum breaks. With a raw edge and plenty of analogue warmth from the Fostex 8-track recording, it's a b-boy anthem in waiting. On the B-side, 'Island Travel' shifts gears into a more laid-back groove. A smooth afrobeat-inspired journey, it blends spiritual jazz and ethno-funk, with Kimo Eiserbeck's serene flute solo gliding over the hypnotic rhythms. Perfectly balancing the A-side's intensity, this one's for the heads looking to kick back and vibe out.
Review: The Winston Brothers return with two fresh cuts on their latest 7" single, marking their first release since 2022's Drift. On the A-side, 'Straight Shooter' lives up to its name, a raw funk jam that could kickstart a b-boy battle. Funky guitar riffs, punchy horns, and tight drum breaks propel the track forward, its energy intense and unfiltered, thanks to an all-analogue recording on a Fostex 8-track. On the flip, 'Island Travel' takes a more laid-back turn. It's a hypnotic Afrobeat number, with dreamy flute work from Kimo Eiserbeck, blending ethno-funk with spiritual jazz vibes. It's cinematic, atmospheric, and offers a perfect contrast to the edgier A-side.
Review: Fresh off the back of X-Ray Ted's debut album Moving On comes this instrumental/scratch tool version of 'Get Loose', one of the record's best-loved non single tracks. Prior to the full album's making and eventual completion, The Bristol-based DJ and producer had spent years honing his craft and refining his signature sound, which drew heavily on soul, funk, hip-hop and breaks; all of which were styles heavily indebted to the street battle breaks culture found in 90s New York and other major cities. 'Get Loose', the seventh track on the record, features British rappers Dr. Syntax and Elemental and is a fiery exploration of what it means to loosen oneself; the track features here in full original form, alongside its locked groove and acapella versions, the former of which samples an oldskool comedy set characteristic of the kinds of sources battle DJs would sift theirs from.
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