Back catalogue: Funk

Review: The trio of Afro Elements formed in May of 1995, but live the band expands to at least an eight piece, with guitar, horn section, percussion and vocals. With Afro Elements appearing as backing band to Mr.Gone and other visiting artists throughout Europe, releases came to a brief stop, however many members of the band contributed to the soul-funk album "Stories", released in 2005 under the name Black Gold Massive. "Stop You're Killing Me", out on Freestyle, is a top release that can't be missed.

Review: Limited edition funky reggae from Malaysia !!

Review: The Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band was founded in 1963 by brothers Cyril and Lionel Bishop. During the 60s and 70s they played the hotel and holiday resort circuit in Trinidad and Tobago and recorded a couple of albums for local labels with the usual staple of Calypso and lounge classics. "Look A Py Py", out on Melting Pot, features some great Meters classics.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record has light surface marks/scratches, but otherwise in working order***


2020 marks two decades since the Bamboos, Australia's premier deep funk combo, first made an impression in their home city of Melbourne. The Lance Ferguson-helmed outfit have been busy in the studio this year cooking up some suitably celebratory music to mark their 20th birthday, with this must-check "45" the latest missive to hit the streets. A-side 'Hard Up' is a typically raw and heavy affair, with regular vocalist Kylie Audist excelling herself over a typically tight-but-loose blend of hazy horns, Hammond motifs, crunchy drums and flash-fried guitar licks. Just as impressive is B-side 'Ride on Time', a surprise - but genuinely killer - heavy funk translation of Black Box's 1989 piano house favourite of the same name.

Review: This band got it's start in Seattle as the rhythm section for "Mr. Clean and the Cleansers" working at the Soul Cellar. After leaving that situation to form their own band they adopted the name The Black and White Affair at the suggestion of George Horton. "Bold Soul Sister" is their new release on Sausage Records.

Review: Sampler 7" with 2 nice tracks from Bay Area funk 2 album. Limited copies!!!

Review:  Two dancefloor bombs which should make tasty additions to your record box. Dr No & The Cuban Maffia are a six piece outfit from Central Havana who recorded this tribute, ''007 Mambo'' as a nod to Ian Fleming's Mr Bond back in the late 1970s, along with dozens of other cover versions to assist their own compositions in their live repertoire. This version was originally only 90 seconds long, so Texas Toni extends the journey with some funky Latino peak time pressure. On the flip, Sundance Kid drops an infamous soundtrack and Texas Toni re-edits the original parts, disposing of the downtempo elements to concentrate purely on the dancefloor potential.

Review: Elizabeth Shepherd strives to push the boundaries of what is considered conventional jazz to create a sound all her own. Nostalgia 77 (aka Ben Lamdin) first burst onto the music scene with his heavy, new funk sound in 2002. Nostalgia's style can be described as a combination of soul and jazz composition with computer based production techniques. He is known for his tasty jazz reworks, which tend to include a touch of raw funk to mix things up a bit. This formula certainly works well on "Reversed"; from the extended drum breaks to the snappy horns, his version sounds very much like a freshly discovered soul 7" from a dusty old record warehouse. "Reversed (Nostalgia 77 mix)" is now available as a limited edition 7" single.

Review: Licorice Soul's latest single reissue features two perennial Mod dancefloor favourites taken from the super-rare UK-only Loot soundtrack album. Showcasing the vocal talents of Steve Ellis (of Sixties pop sensation 'The Love Affair').

Review: Freestyle serve up 2 James Brown tributes as a sampler for the recent Modern Funk compilation. It has been argued that 2007
was the year that the underground funk movement finally started to make its presence known in the mainstream. Huge selling
artists such as Mark Ronson, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse spearheaded a movement towards a more organic and authentic
sound, selling thousands of records in the process and whisking bands, who have been gigging in small sweaty clubs in the UK
for years, off on world tours. The music itself harks back to the golden years of Motown, Watts and Stax, as well as hundreds of
unknown smaller labels, but given the all important production values of the 21st century, making it perfect for the dancefloor -
hence the tag 'Modern Funk'. The a-side finds The Fantastics (previously known as Reverend Cleatus and The Soul Saviours)
getting busy with The Godfather's 'Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose', sticking pretty close to the original but slapping their unique style
all over it. Over on the flip Speedometer and Ria Currie take on 'Answer To Mother Popcorn', originally a Vicki Anderson number,
giving it a update for the dancefloor in 2008.

Review: Fatboy Slim has recorded his own version of Kraftwerk's "Radioactivity". The b-side is by the one and only Bootsy Collins, written by Paul 'Beautiful South' Heaton.

Review: A six-headed funk/jazz group, The Filthy Six pluck one of the highlights of their second album The Fox for this here single for the venerable Acid Jazz label. A cover of Michael Jackson's "Girlfriend" would be hard to get wrong, but the crew make the song their own with a mix of Hammond organ, brass, Dap Tones drums and some raw and deliciously soulful vocals. Much needed 7" bad boy here!

Review: David Steele was the songwriter for Fine Young Cannibal and he is said to have spent five years searching for "the perfect singer". He finally cae good with 23-year-old gospel singer Jonte Short at the 2001 New Orleans Jazz Festival, and with her the group Fried wasw created. 20 years ago they released their standout single 'When You Get Out of Jail' which is a soul drenched hip hip joint with great keys and strings. This reissue on London comes backed with a version.

Review: "That Kind Of Man", by The Heavy, is more or less what would have happened if Curtis Mayfield had stumbled across a demo of Led Zeppelin's Trampled Underfoot. This is an amazing Evil Kitty release.

Review: Their first new material since their 2011 self-titled album, highly acclaimed Brooklyn funk septet let loose with two exemplary lessons in bright, tight timeless funk. "The Beast" is just one long head-nodding groove that oozes world class horn work. As we hit the sax solo there's a vague waft of Afrofunk but played a much slower, sedate tempo. "Road Song" is a little more upbeat but, thanks to some lone piano work, there's a touch of poignancy about the vibe. Think Booker T & MGs.

Review: 4th limited edition 7" release, with this dynamite double-sider of in-demand Instant Funk collectibles! Don't sleep!

Review: "Rhode Trip", by Iodine 69, is an unorthodox instrumentation consisting of two Rhodes piano players and a drummer. This debut 7" was a long time coming and was well worth the wait. This display the dynamic keyboard abilities these cats posses.

Review: "Tron Song", by Elmore Judd, is a sparkling Kentish Town electro-soul release, with a brilliant Snakefinger cover (which makes the song sound brand new).

Review: Jon Kennedy from Stockport in northern England and possibly most famous for his output on Manchester label Grand Central, teams up with Vinylize who specialize in making eyewear with frames from recycled vinyl records. This limited edition two track 7 inch kicks off with the b-boy breaks laden effort of ''Shake'' with a repetitive saxophone lick. On the flip ''The Shakes'' is a similar outing with energetic rhythms offset by plucked acoustic guitar and a UK rap from Sixth Letter.

Review: Swedish female fronted punk combo Love Is All get the remix treatment on this double whammy vinyl 45". Isle of Wight natives The Bees take you on a reggae funk workout, Whilst Brighton based outfit Metronomy take you on a 1980's New York via Ze Records inspired trip. "Make Out Fall Out Make Up" is an essential release.

Review: Not content with laying down one of the summer's finest contemporary funk albums - Showdown - Hamburg septet The Mighty Mocambos deliver two more fresh originals on this furiously funky 45". "Where Do We Go From Here" is a Lee Fields style soul jam with big gutsy vocals while "B-Boy Suite In B-Flat Minor" is a powerful instrumental trouser swinger with hypnotic block-bashing percussive action. Both are exceptional.

Review: German outfit Mo'Horizons, who first formed in the late 1990s, return with this first 7" release from their upcoming studio album which is due for release in May. First up on a skanking funk tip is ''So On'' featuring female vocalist Marga Munguambe with a ragga vocal from Rude Hifi. On the flip is a live sounding rocking horn stabbed led funk track with great drums and the odd vocal sample snippet!

Review: A true legend of funk! Responsible for classics "Cramp Your Style" and "Everything Is Gonna be Alright", as well as numerous other hits, Robert Moore is a true legend of the funk scene. During his recent visit to the UK to promote the Florida Funk compilation, he spent some time in the studio with Speedometer and laid down these instantly classic sounding tracks "Make It Alright" and "Do Right Man", both masterpieces in modern funk.

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: The Otis Funkmeyer Band is a nine-piece deep funk ensemble from New York City, heavily influenced by the funk and raw soul from the sixties and seventies. "Why Are You Refusing My Love" has a bittersweet love jam that touches the soul and a cover of the lost classic by Gloria Walker and the Chevelles. A top All City release.

Review: With 'We Will Rock You' Queenz go head-to-head with Anthea & Donna Top Rankin for limited edition mash up tomfoolery. Massive crossover.

Review: Smoove makes a drum driven hybrid of funk, jazz, Latin and hip hop.

Review: We wouldn't blame you if you thought this was a rare re-release from the late 60s, but no, this is classic funk done by a band who are very much alive, kicking and major league gigging. Tight, slightly lo-fi and seriously funky, both cuts on this cheeky 7" showcase the band's extensive repertoire. "The Ghetto: There's No Way Out" comes at you like a speedy Booker T & The MGs while "Sunk Without The Funk" isn't a far cry from Sharon Jones and her band of merry Dap Kings. Both absolutely rule.

Review: Since 2002, this Ottawa-based band has been keeping the classic sounds of raw, gritty groove alive and well in Canada. Their style combines jazz, funk, African and Latin music with messages touching on politics and spirituality. The blaring horns, retro keyboards and polyrhythmic beats show the influence of James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti and Tito Puente, but the sound remains refreshingly original. Their stylistic variety is in part due to the diverse musical backgrounds of the band's individual members: jazz, funk, blues, reggae, classical, and traditional Cuban, Brazilian and West African percussion. "Mista President" evokes not only the spirit of a certain Mr Anikulapo-Kuti, but also a packed Shrine going nuts. "Insurrection", on the a-side, is a more straight-up funk cut that will induce feverish shape throwing wherever it is played.

Review: US label coming with the ammo on with UK male Soul Legend with a masterpiece in dynamite & gritty vocal delivery & not one but two powerful renditions of funky soul classics first time on a 45. First up Toms gritty & powerful cover of Sam & Dave's ''Soul Man'' flipped by a tough version of ''Hold On I'm Coming''. Essential soul music with balls. Don't sleep !

Review: The Soul Monsters imprint has dipped into the back catalogue of premier Motown legends and chosen two killer covers of songs first made famous by other artists on the iconic soul label's roster. On the A-side you'll find their storming version of Stevie Wonder hit 'Uptight (Everything's All Right)', a take that's just as stomping and horn-heavy as the more familiar original, with the added bonus of smoother soul vocals from the ladies and first time on 7 inch vinyl. Turn to the flip for their interpretation of Barrett Strong hit 'Money (That's What I Want)', a more fuzzy and sax-laden affair of a song that was famously also covered by the Beatles on With The Beatles.

Review: On "Shake And Hip Drop" the band get down and dirty, providing pounding drums, driving bass, strutting guitars and JB style horn rasps for Noel McKoy to lay his Godfather of Soul (RIP) style vocals atop. Already a tried and tested dancefloor bomb, this release should please DJ's, collectors and dancers alike.

Review: "The Players Theme" is another slice of wax from the recently liberated library album from The Sound Stylistics. Recorded in 2002 for Bruton, the album has weaved its way into funk folklore for collectors the world over, becoming a word of mouth phenomena and a collectors wet-dream due to its failure to ever get a proper release. The band consists of, amongst others, members of JTQ, Jamiroquai, Brand New Heavies, The New Mastersounds, Galliano and The Herbaliser, a who's who of the London club scene. "The Players Theme" evokes the classic "Memphis Soul Stew" by King Curtis, with its creeping bass and layered instrumentation. Bringing the drums to the fore, this is another guaranteed dancefloor filler! Over on the flip "Soul Dynamite" swaggers with a similar style to Speedometers most recent work, with some heavy horn action. Once again, the breaks come thick and fast to keep your dancers sweating!

Review: Speedometer are one of the UK's most prolific and successful funk/soul bands of the last 10 years, and here we see them rework"Lover & Friend", an Eddie Bo classic taken from their forthcoming album The Shakedown. On the flipside there's a bubbling Hammond funk instrumental workout a€“ nice stuff all round!

Review: Two burning Hammond instrumentals here. Johnny States' 'Bug Eye' is a vicious up-tempo Hammond screamer, with wah-wah guitar & fatback drums! 'K.C. Drive' by sax man Tommy Wills is a 60's boogaloo funk crossover.

Review: "Kill Bill" is a straight up banger from Berlin based producer Suff Daddy. "Drama" features Swedish songstress Kissey Asplund.

Review: Pressure Makes Diamonds casts us back to the 80's on this red hot bit of boogie disco. It is the fine work of an iconic jazz drummer and educator from Houston, Texas, by the name of Bubbha Thomas . e played on plenty of pivotal releases in the fields of R&B, gospel, blues and soul and led his spiritual ensemble 'The Lightmen' to five Grammy nominations, as well as writing a couple of books. With 'Boogie Down' the outfit moved away from jazz and into a rich world of disco and mid-tempo funk. Big fat claps, backing vocals that are buttery and wide open drum breaks all make it irresistible.

Review: Another dinked 45 for the beat diggers with some rare, sought-after breaks from German jazz drummer Klaus Weiss now on 45 courtesy of US label Dusty Fingers. First up it's some dirty sci-fi synth action topped with a crazy hi-hat workout on "Get Up". Flip over for a rare drum heavy breaks version of the soul staple classic "Get Out My Life Woman" that features some deep piano chords, a smattering of southern fried guitar a superb extended drums break at the end.

Review: Since she burst onto the scene in the late 60s, Spanky Wilson has recorded with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr, Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Smith & Willie Bobo. Renowned as a soul singer beyond comparison on both sides of the Atlantic, she has consistently released quality music for the past four decades, always collaborating with some of the most talented and respected producers of the day. True to form, her new album "I’m Thankful" sees her team up with Will Holland of The Quantic Soul Orchestra to produce a stunning collection of 21st Century jazz, funk, big band and soul music. Will and Spanky first collaborated in 2005 on two tracks for the third Quantic album, "Mishaps Happening". Inspired by this positive experience, they decided to write an album together. Months of work culminated in a week-long recording session in Spanky's hometown of Los Angeles, California, drafting some of the funk-soul scene's finest players to help them realise their vision. This first 7" single perfectly captures the spirit of the album. Raw, impassioned, forward-thinking and funky as hell, it's everything we know and love about The Quantic Soul Orchestra fronted by the formidable Spanky Wilson.

Review: "A Taste Of Honey" is a brand new funky 7" by Tim Wood. Tim Wood is a new and talented producer that writes, plays and records everything himself in his studio full of old equipment.

Review: "Keep It Up", by Milton Wright, is a seminal piece of spaced-out cosmic soul/boogie.

Review: "Deep, Down & Discofied": Classic soul, jazz, disco and funk dancefloor inspirations for today's r'n'b, hip hop and house fans. Hip hop, house and r'n'b music are intrinsically linked. More than most forms of music, contemporary black recordings possess the ability to borrow, looking back at what has gone before. As a result today's artists, producers and remixers consistently draw inspiration from classic, often obscure, soul, jazz, funk and disco tracks, and subsequently the pioneers of these genres are, arguably, directly responsible for many of today's biggest dance floor cuts. Therefore, this collection is dedicated to the rare grooves and classics that in many cases have survived their creators and the labels that first brought them to our attention. This first edition of Defected's new "Deep Down & Discofied" series contains a small selection of some of the many tracks that have inspired its curator, label boss Simon Dunmore, through the years, records that touched his soul at various points on his journey through clubland. A few of the choices are pure indulgence but most of the inclusions are now part of dancefloor history and, more importantly, they are now the inspiration for many a classic hip hop, house or r'n'b anthem, either as a straight cover version or as a sampled, twisted groove revitalised for a brand new audience. Joining the dots between old and new flavours brings together records from Jenny Burton (whose "Bad Habit" was used so effectively in Defected's own ATFC single), Salsoul Orchestra (another heavily sampled classic in "Take Some Time Out For Love"), Teddy Pendergrass (think DJ Sneak's Chicago House classic "You Can't Hide From Your Bud") and the prototype for Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You" from Chaka Khan alongside newly created disco infused songs from Martin Solveig and Ron Hall & The MuthaFunkaz. A clear indication that the musical power of the past is still shaping the sounds of the future. The first "Deep Down & Discofied" album comes available on double CD and three double vinyl LPs, bringing the selected tunes to DJs, collectors and those wanting to delve a little deeper inside contemporary electronic music. The CDs are crafted and sequenced so that individual tracks can be played by DJs, making this a must have collection for the growing band of those preferring to spin from the format. Premium quality foiled packaging further makes the compilation highly collectible.

Review: Between the mid 1970s and the late 1980s, Cameroonian duo J.M Tim and Foty recorded a string of killer Afro-funk albums. This superb compilation from Africa Seven shines a light on the best of the duo's early work, with each of the ten tracks recorded between 1977 and '79. There's much to set the pulse racing throughout, from the crunchy Clavinets, punchy horns and heavy grooves of opener "Douala By Night" and the rubbery disco-funk of "More and More", to the swirling, celebratory vocals, sun-kissed guitars and dazzling analogue synth solos of "Ale". Elsewhere, check the Bee Gees-in-Cameroon flex of "Funky Boogie Love" and "I Love Youande", a breezy affair with a touch of country-funk swing and an a sublime bass guitar riff.

Review: Nine months, nine great albums and over half a dozen singles through 2006 already, Tru Thoughts & Zebra Traffic are set to release their second 'Shapes Compilation' of the year. Offering listeners a sneak preview of what the label has lined up for the next six months, allowing DJs to get their hands on some early exclusives and giving the turntable-less a chance to hear some essential non-album tracks, 'Shapes Compilation' is perfect for newcomers and impatient fans alike. Featuring exclusives from the likes of Quantic, Nickodemus and Nostalgia 77; the album also includes previously unreleased material by Spanky Wilson & The Quantic Soul Orchestra, TM Juke, Jumbonics and Kinny & Horne; a cover version of The Broken Keys' next single by Antipodean funk outfit The Bamboos; Alice Russell remixed by Bonobo; Diesler getting the Gerardo Frisina treatment and a live recording by The Nostalgia 77 Octet. Representing Zebra Traffic we have Phi-Life Cypher featuring MCM; Simpson teaming up with Rup to offer a preview of the young MC's debut album (due out in October) and the first taste of the much-anticipated follow-up LP by Yorkshire/London UK hip hop duo, Dirty Diggers.