Funk / Reissue Recommendations January 2011

Review: The latest Resense release sees Crown Royal fuse a mixture of 1960s soundtrack samples, chants and breakbeats under a crooning vocal. On the flipside 60s Latin samples are augmented by some jazzy beats and drum samples with an infectious piano refrain offset by obscure vocal snippets. Tip!

Review: Possibly arriving from the same source as those Originals seven inches comes the Rare imprint with a Ronseal approach to their releases i.e. this 45 slaps two highly sought after diggers delights on either side. The horn and string heavy funk disco of IMP Express's "8-1" makes a reappearance after Kon & Amir used it on a BBE comp a while back and it's joined by the equally jaunty "Keep On Moving" from Phillip & Llyod. Only 300 of these for the worldwide independent record shop network so don't sleep!

Review: Nine piece band Bio Ritmo have been around for the last twenty years, indulging us in their Latin and global music offerings. "Dina's Mambo" is a slab of tropical funk that showcases Bio's playful instrumental side, featuring Marlysse Simmons on keys and a wonderful three piece brass section reminding us of the afro Cuban funk material of artists like Irakere. On the flipside is a straight up salsa track featuring the vocals of Rei Alvarez with the distinctively melancholic offering of "La Muralla".