Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Jai Alai's latest release brings forth a collection of forgotten vinyl tracks that have been previously unreleased on 7" format or limited to CD-only albums. Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, to give him his full name, was a pivotal figure in jazz history and a prominent trumpeter and flugelhorn player after his stint with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the mid-50s. Collaborating with jazz icons like John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, and Sonny Rollins, Byrd's journey evolved into experimenting with jazz fusion, African rhythms, and r&b by the late 60s. His transformative fusion work, notably with the Blackbyrds, reshaped the jazz-funk landscape, paving the way for dance jazz on disco floors and becoming a wellspring for hip-hop samples. These are two of his many great moments of soul-drenched goodness.

Review: Birmingham, Alabama artist David Sea was the front man for his family's gospel outfit The Question Marks in 1970. He had an extraordinary voice and that is very much front and centre on this new 7" from Jai Alai. It takes two of his most tremendous tunes from his Groove Mission album in 1996 with 'Back In The Day' and 'Back In Love Again' both featuring. The former is a lung-busting number full of raw yearning and lots of nostalgia before some hip hop breaks cut up the midsection, then the flipside is a nice bit of r&b with smooth grooves and lush pianos next to his trademark buttery vocals.

Review: A short name hides a long story - Detroit-born Chad Hughs graduated from the same high school as Diana Ross, going onto become a multi-talented musician as well as a teacher and composer. The fourth release from cd exclusive vinyl pressers Jai Alai, collectors can now own this unique 7" containing two completely different sides of Sir Wick from his two albums. A side's title track 'Seal My Heart' contains the vocal talents of Sedalia Marie, with layered vocals and a baseline that makes this pure soul song feel deeply cinematic. The B side has been decades in the making, selected from a fully orchestrated musical in the works since 1996, finally being recorded and completed in 2017. These two tracks are deeply sentimental ditties of doting young love, and now two rare soul ballads from a musical luminary are available for the first time on a 45. What better soundtrack to date night than these?