DJS: MOST CHARTED - FUNK - MOST CHARTED IN AUGUST 2015

Review: In the pantheon of Marvin Gaye classics, "T Plays It Cool" is a steadfast favourite here at Juno Records. That intro, the stone cold drum fill, the monster saxophone, the subtle moog melodies, and the fact it was part of Gaye's superb soundtrack for Troubleman. A mark of its stature as a classic is the countless times it has been sampled, with Originals opting to line the flip of their latest 45 with Jazzy Jeff's chunky late '80s cut "A Touch Of Jazz". In his hands that classic lilting sax line and numerous other elements are included in a sampledelic fashion aimed at showcasing his scratching prowess.

Review: With a refreshed label design, the Originals series seems in no trouble of running out of steam any time soon as catalogue number 30 hones into view. The 29th rinky dinky Originals squares the focus on Art Blakey's "Stretching" with one of the world's best DJs, J Rocc, offering up a fine 45 treatment of the Jazz classic on the A Side. Representing the sample flip on the flip is Digable Planets and "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" which deftly pulled out the horns and bassline from Blakey's original and looped them up for what is now regarded as an early '90s hip hop classic.

Review: "Cramp Your Style" by All The People surely belongs among the canon of all time funk standards, sampled aplenty over the years, included on numerous compilations as well as being the recipient of cover versions from Breakestra and Killer Meters. Originally issued on the Blue Candle label back in 1972, a newly remastered edition of that 7" is now available for any funkateers out there without the 45 in their collections already. Robert Moore's yearning vocal sounds all the better for it too! And don't sleep on the bluesy delights of B side track "Watcha Gonna Do About It?".

Review: Sampled by the likes of Groove Armada and The Herbaliser, "Turn Off The Lights" runs with one of those bass licks you've known forever without realising. Flip for the jazz boogie badness of "Fuel For The Fire". Taken from the same 1975 album, here we find the same vocalist, Linda Logan, sharpening her tongue and getting her scat on with furiously funky results. Hard to find on 45, it's yet another example of AOTN's expert curation prowess.

Review: Classic alert !! Album only track get's a timely repress as a one sided 45 for specialist crossover dance floors the world over.

Review: Previously spotted passing hands for $1000, this Rodney Matthews doublet has been hot property since funk selector Ian Wright unearthed it. "Walking With Eyes Closed" oozes the slick falsetto funk Average White Band always aspired to; well-polished, super-tight, big highs and emphatic harmonies. "Life Is A Beautiful Thing" gets even funkier as the Miami troupe lay down cement-like dollops of bass-led funk over a stick beat and more rifle-like nagging vocals. Look up the word belter and you'll find this record.

Review: The Originals dot-joining exercise continues apace with another great lesson for the budding diggers and sample spotters... Here Alabama trumpeter Brooks' 74 jazz adventure is dusted off in all its meandering, joyfully unpredictable seven minute glory. Flip for a fine lesson in classic sampling as Tribe Called Quest's "Luck Of Lucien" utilises the hook at a different speed, pitch and vibe that's tailored for ATCQ. In the words of Q Tip himself "Get a grip on the mission you're taking".

Review: Few bands live up to their name in the way Jungle Fire do; fusing Cumbia, Afrobeat and trad funk, each JF jam blazes the floor with real power. "Firewalker" is the buzz-cut here, swaggering with Afro-disco confidence; it's all about the epic horn Q&A and cutlass-sharp guitar lick. "Chalupa" takes a deeper route into the dancefloor by way of a classic soul riff that sways to-and-fro before breaking down into a more staccato rhythm. Watch out for the pay-off... Those jazz horns are a delight to behold!

Review: Authentic soul business from Bloomington newbies The Indications brought to you by the good people at Colemine Records. Teaming up with Durand Jones for the A-side, "Smile" is a powerful preachy cut that digs deep into the classic funk mentality while sitting neatly upside the grills of Aloe Blacc or Gnarls Barkley. "Tuck N Roll", meanwhile, is a Meters-level slice of smouldering instrumental funk with big cymbal splashes and a blissful balance of Rhodes and guitar. Spotless.

Review: Yes! A much needed new issue of Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band's sublime 50 Cent cover version arrives courtesy of the Truth & Soul crew! Originally released back in 2008 on Mocambo Records, the cover version was long thought to be the source material for Fiddy's steel pan anthem "P.I.M.P", with Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band's signature signature smashing drums and bass heavy groove somewhere between reggae, steel funk, and the Superfly soundtrack. If you missed out first time around, this new issue of "P.I.M.P" is a must grip, not least as it is complemented on the flip by the first BRSB original composition to make it's way to vinyl in the shape of the hard hitting breaks and pan melodies of "Laventille Road March".

Review: The label says it all... Neither of these tracks have ever been released outside the original albums they came on. Until now. The legendary Candido steps up for the A-side with an uptempo, percussion-heavy groove from his 1971 album Beautiful; with big brassy fills and a stripped back, sample-addict's dream breakdown, this still punches as hard now as it did over 40 years ago. Flip for a funk trip from the equally revered Edwin Starr. Taken from his Hell Up In Harlem soundtrack, it's quintessential Blaxploitation funk with slippery bass, sleazy guitars and Edwin's velvet vocals that can go from purring to roaring in 0.03 seconds. Limited to one per customer, jump on this as soon as you can.

Review: In amongst their programme of May essentials, Athens of the North have focused on highlight the grand soul escapades of Master Weldon Irvine across two killer sevens. We Gettin' Down the second and final of these and features two tracks from Irvine's 1974 LP for RCA Spirit Man. The more scholarly ears out there will of course recognise elements of "We Gettin' Down" from A Tribe Called Quest classic "Award Tour" and it's been lifted by everyone from Dego's Tek 9 project to bandy legged pop star Jamiroquai over the years. It's a pleasure from start (what a moog riff) to end and is complemented by the jazzed up bliss of "The Power & The Glory". Athens of the North are really spoiling us!

Review: Sounds like it came out of Lagos in 1971, actually written and recorded in Lyon in 2015: Voilaaa is the brainchild of Bruno Hovart whose long relationship with Favorite goes way back to his days as Patchworks, Mr President and The Dynamics. Recording on a whole host of vintage machines and calling upon local African singers both cuts have a real authentic sense of realness; "Spies Are Watching Me" drives with big horns and swooning strings which isn't dissimilar to the work of The Movers, while the TY Boys-esque "Le Disco Des Capitales" is a heavier, more concentrated slab of floor-minded disco where the groove takes more of a forefront role. Apparently there's a whole album of this cooking... We can't wait to hear it.

Review: Back in the mid 1970s, young engineer Terry 'T.K' Kane and Henry Stone joined forces to launch a studio and record distribution business in Miami. It would spawn a huge number of in-house labels, and even greater number of funk and disco releases, and even a string of million-selling artists. Given this legacy, it's little surprise to see Athens of the North paying tribute to the funk side of Henry Stone's impressive legacy with this superb collection. While there are a few tried-and-tested cuts to be found - see the T Connection and Little Beaver cuts - for the most part The Miami Sound focuses on more obscure - but no less hard-hitting - gems from the likes of Jonny K, Stevens & Foster and Leno Philips.

Review: Freestyle mainstays Speedometer are back... And they're brandishing a brand new album. "No Turning Back" is the lead title track. Featuring velvet vocals and sharp scat spits from James Junior, it's a soft-but-stern statement of intent that drags us in gradually and refuses to let us go once we're hooked. Those hungry for Speedometer's more upbeat party feels, flip for "Orisha's Party" where the groove is so tight and fizzy you can't but think of MJ's "Wanna Be Startin' Something". For good measure, The Reflex has also joined the party with a luxurious extended house shakedown that's primed for the season and beyond.

Review: A brand new label based in London and Paris but with roots deeply planted in the motherland, Africa Seven catapult themselves into our collection with such funky gusto very soon it will hard to be able to look at our collections and remember life without them. Their launch compilation is a showcase of Africa's funkiest side. Ranging from deep cosmic psychedelic rock (Ekambi Brilliant's "Africa Africa") to bright-flared, horn-fronted disco funk (Jo Tongo's "Jangolo") via firing, straight up floor-grooves like Jo Bisso's "Give It Up", this is an exceptional collection of a expertly curated jams that have yet to enjoy the exposure they deserve. Something tells us Africa Seven are going to add even more weight to the Afrobeat dialogue in the near future.

Review: German funk collective The Mighty Mocambos unleash another killer track from their third album Showdown on this 7" slammer for Legere Recordings. Up top "Not Get Caught" thrusts with tight drums and a crisp guitar lick, precision played to create space for Derobert's ballsy narrative. Flip for "Never Get Caught", a full-flavoured instrumental that gives every band member time to shine. Exemplary timeless funk that 45 selectors will keep in their boxes for years to come.

Review: As if their recent album Beyond The Sun wasn't quite enough new material this year, Orgone return with two more brand new jams on this 7" for Colemine. "Strike" is a firing, sweaty Union cover that's focused on nothing but an unashamed party. "New You" is a softer, more sensual boogie number that oozes soaking wet guitar licks and honey-coated vocals throughout. Powerful contemporary funk from one of the most successful and prolific troupes in existence.

Review: In case you didn't know, The M Tet consists of Joe Baer Magnant on guitar, Gary Pitman on the organ, Chris Lujan on bass, and Michael Reed on drums. Together they've been putting out soulful neo-funk, and they're back with their third release, this time for Detroit's Funk Night outlet. "Express Yourself" is a jazzy, instrumental cover of the pop song which goes by the same name, while "Sweetheart" is deeper, moodier and more head-nodding. A tight lil' 7" this one!