Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Five years ago, Sban Records unleashed Harde Smart, a fine collection of Flemish and Dutch records of the 1970s heavily influenced by Black American funk, soul, and dance music. This belated follow-up focuses on the 1980s, a decade in which the influence of American AOR, disco-rock, boogie, synth-pop and electro could be heard across plenty of releases by Dutch and Belgian bands. Highlights include the blue-eyed, synth-powered dreaminess of 'Drugs' by Omar & The New Sound, the P-funk-influenced flavours of Joost Belinfante's 'Zonder Woorden', the Zouk-splashed tropical boogie of De Div's 'Teken De Tijd', and the post-punk new-wave eccentricity of Nadagen's 'Onder 4 Ogen', which sounds like a Dutch take on Sheffield band Chakk.

Review: Narada Michael Walden is now 71 years old and has enjoyed a hugely successful career, with his CV boasting extensive work with Quincy Jones, years spent playing with jazz-funk greats, a stint as journey's drummer, and - perhaps most significantly - production credits on huge 1990s releases by Whitney Houston, George Benson and Mariah Carey. Yet instead of retiring or resting on his laurels, he's turned to writing, recording and producing his own music. Euphoria is an undeniably funky, accessible and pop-tinged affair, with Walden adding his own vocals to backing tracks that sit somewhere between 21st century revivalist disco, nu-disco, prime Prince and Radio 2-friendly AOR pop. As you'd expect from someone with his contacts book, there are some high-profile guests dotted across the album, most notably Carlos Santana, Sting and Stevie Wonder.

Review: This two-disc set captures groundbreaking band at the peak of their live performance powers. Known for their genre-blending mix of funk, jazz, soul and rock, the band shines in this energetic recording, showcasing their tight musicianship and dynamic stage presence. The collection includes extended versions of fan favorites, with grooves that stretch and evolve in ways only possible in a live setting. Tracks like 'Slippin' Into Darkness' and 'The World Is a Ghetto' come alive with improvisational flair, while the interplay between the band members highlights their cohesive chemistry. The recording quality is excellent, preserving the raw energy of the performance while offering clarity that allows each instrument to shine. This live album serves as a time capsule of the era's musical innovation. Those who appreciate soulful, groove-laden live music, this is an essential band to have in your collection.

Review: As you may well be aware, the Winstons' most significant contribution to musical history was the righteous drum break featured on their 1969 single 'Amen, Brother', a breakbeat that has since become the backbone of countless hip-hop, hardcore and D&B tracks. Yet as good as that break is, there was always much more to love hidden in their catalogue, particularly debut album Color Him, Father. As this surprise reissue on CD proves, it is a genuinely brilliant collection of loved up East Coast soul songs - both dancefloor-friendly and downtempo - which on this edition has been expanded via the addition of a quartet of previous single-only cuts. This, then, is the definitive version of a vitally important soul album.

Review: Bernie Worrell's posthumous release Wave from the Wooniverse emerges as a brilliant example to his enduring influence and creativity. Hailing from Asheville, NC, Worrell, known for his groundbreaking work with Moog synthesizers and his tenure with Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads, left behind quite a bit of unreleased material upon his passing in 2016. Curated and completed by a stellar lineup including Sean Lennon, Bootsy Collins, and Buckethead among others, this CD collection breathes new life into Worrell's compositions. From funk-infused grooves to ethereal synth landscapes, each track showcases Worrell's lyrical keyboard prowess and musical versatility. The album's diversity reflects Worrell's eclectic career, blending genres seamlessly while maintaining a cohesive sonic narrative. With contributions from original P-Funk members and contemporary collaborators, Wave from the Wooniverse resonates as a fitting tribute to a visionary musician. Whether you're drawn to deep-fried funk or introspective instrumentals, this release is a stunning CD for aficionados of innovative and soul-stirring music.

Review: 'Linear Labs: Sao Paulo' marks Adrian Younge's next chapter, bringing together unreleased tracks from his global collaborations. Known for blending analog warmth with modern sound, Younge delivers an exciting mix of psychedelic soul and hip-hop. The album includes highlights like 'Something About April III' and 'Don't Cry for the Devil' with Snoop Dogg, alongside contributions from artists like ALA.NI, Bilal, and Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier. Each track taps into different influences, from Brazilian samba to Middle-Eastern psych, creating a dynamic sonic experience. This CD release presents Younge's curated vision of musical innovation, a must-have for fans of his boundary-pushing sound.