Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Acid jazz pioneer - and "acid jazz" coiner (!) - Chris Bangs returns with a brand new album for 2024, 'Dream World', which follows on from his early 2023 release 'Firebird'. Corralling his friends - Argentine keyboardist Luciano De La Rosa, Italian Massimo Morganti on trombone, Chile's Juan Pi Salvo on trumpet, and Fabio Tiralongo on sax - together for a supergrouped set of nine Bangers, Dream World hears the artist transcend borders in a mondialised fashion, in doing so paying homage to many of his inspirational greats such as the Mizell Brothers, Wayne Henderson and George Duke, whom together produced the joint groundwork for the latter-day genre.

Review: Chris Bangs is widely, albeit not so, known for coining the term 'acid jazz'. If it weren't for him it's likely we wouldn't have modern day future jazz pushers like Soul Jazz or Brownswood. This new compendium, 'Firebird', charts the DJ and producer's latest sonic explorations, blurring the boundaries between every influence from contemporary jazz, UK electronic dance, and Latin dance styles from bossa nova to salsa. It also contains several examples of what is known as his 'East Coast' sound, which pays homage to the fusion of jazz and funk and which spread throughout UK nightclubs as far back as the early 80s.

Review: The jazz and broken beat revival continues apace as we race through 2019, so original pioneers of the sound are rightly coming back into focus. Enter the Brand New Heavies, one of the key acts of the mid-eighties who sound as good on this brand new album as ever. It's littered with funk-licked pop, crystalline acid jazz and singalong songs that range from tender ballads to soaring soul. Angie Stone, Beverley Knight and other vocalists lend their tones along the way, but importantly TBNH is not a revival or self-satisfied celebration. Instead, it feels like a forward-looking and accomplished album that takes the band in subtle new directions.

Review: Ferry Djimmy is quite the character - he is a mysterious Afrobeat figure who also was a former schoolteacher, boxer, Jacques Chirac's bodyguard, and well as being a legendary Beninese musical visionary. He recorded this album sometime in the mid-1970s in support of the revolutionary leader of Benin at the time - Mathieu Kerekou. A fire is reported to have turned all but 200 copies to dust so it is mega rare and expensive to get an original. Acid Jazz reissues it here in all its fiery, lo-fi, gnarly Afrobeat glory. This is a fully licensed project with all new and in-depth sleeve notes by Florent Mazzoleni.

Review: Acid Jazz Records are master compilers who here turn their focus once more to Les Sympathics De Porto Novo Benin. It's part of the label's reissues series focussing on rare sounds from legendary Benin imprint Albarika Store and is a second album from one of the most notable groups to hail from Porto Novo'. This 1970s collective, founded by Herman Laleye, is famed for its heavy rhythm section and vocals from Gangbo Bonheur, Armand Pognon playing blues-tinged guitar and Camille Zanou's on the organ. Rather than straight-up Afro-beat, Afro-funk or Latin, this band fused it all seamlessly into something new.

Review: Acid Jazz's announcement of the 30th anniversary 2LP remastered edition of Mother Earth's The People Tree is a momentous occasion for fans of acid jazz and soul music alike. Originally released in 1994, this album holds a significant place in the genre's history, blending elements of soul, funk, and folk-tinged rock from the 70s with a modern twist. The special edition reissue boasts the original album, along with three previously unreleased tracks and six making their vinyl debut. Remastered from the original analogue recordings, this release promises to breathe new life into the beloved classic. Featuring guest appearances from iconic artists like Paul Weller, Dee C Lee and Simon Bartholomew of Brand New Heavies, The People Tree is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the acid jazz scene. Notable bonus tracks include the previously unreleased alternative version of 'Apple Green,' an alternate take on 'Illusions,' and the title track itself. First-time vinyl cuts offer fresh perspectives on tracks like 'Jesse' and 'Slide Sweet Baby,' adding depth to the listening experience. The album's presentation is equally impressive, with a beautiful 'wide-spine' layout, printed inner sleeves, and insightful notes from label-founder Eddie Piller, accompanied by unseen photos from the original cover shoot. Overall, this anniversary edition of The People Tree is a album worth your time as it often selected for one of the best examples in the genre.