Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Ahead of their new album S.P.A.C.E, Italy's funkiest movie score team Calibro get fuzzy with two brand new heaters. "Bandits On Mars" takes a slightly cosmic route with star-gazing synths before dropping into a grungy riff that's backed by the sleaziest bassline you'll hear this side of Michaelmas. "CLBR 35" is a slinkier, more soundtracky affair with some sugar-sweet wah wahs and delicate Hammond story-telling. Think Lalo Schifrin reimagined by Cookin' On 3 Burners after a tonked up gym session. Furiously funky.

Review: Alvin Cash's 1972 funk version of his biggest hit "Twine Time" is a longstanding deep funk classic we heartily recommend you check out. On the B Side Ann Alford delivers soul sister funk masterpiece "Got To Get Me A Job".

Review: "Onda", the second single from Brazilian composer-turned-artist Genival Cassiano dos Santos, has long been an in-demand item for Balearic DJs. Copies of the original 1977 12" regularly fetch three figures online, so this belated reissue is long overdue. "Onda" itself is something of a lazy sunshine classic; a perfect example of laidback Brazilian jazz-funk that blends a samba sensibility with distinct soul, funk and disco influences. Flipside "Central Do Brasil" is, if anything, even more potent, with Cassiano layering vocals over a hustling disco-funk backing track. Certainly, it is the more obviously dancefloor centric of the two tracks, even if it lacks the simple beauty of the A-side.

Review: Super-rare funk sides from Portland, Oregon.

Review: Bay City claim that between the 60s and 70s, the music scene "was so fertile that the speed with which tastes changed left a colossal amount of incredible music to gather dust - perhaps most famously a profusion of funk, soul and rock." This resulted in many local bands who released their music independently without a label. The rather short lived, James Brown indebted Chain were one of those bands. These impressive two tracks feature hard drums, sharp horns, raw vocals, and supercool guitar licks. And a whole lot of soul, of course!

Review: REPRESS ALERT: With two massive reissues from Suns of Arqa and Jaki Whitren under their belts, the fledging label Emotional Rescue have come up with the goods once again, with this remastered reissue of incredibly rare 70s psyche-funk from Bob Chance. Two versions are included: the original 7" version, driven along by a razor-sharp guitar riff and sweetly lamenting lyrics, topped off with weird cosmic synths and galloping rhythm. However, the real gem is the edit entitled "Wild It's Broken" which sharpens the focus of the guitar and adds some serious kick to the drums to create a beefy counterpart to the new age original.

Review: Mr K takes on two boogie tracks here, giving them the extended Krivit golden touch. Side A features an edit of change's "Hold Tight", taken from their 1981 Atlantic LP "Miracles" and featuring Jocelyn Brown on vocals, with a super loud pressing - mid tempo disco soul doesn't get much better. Over on the flip he re-edits the classic Mtume/Lucas-Penned track "What'cha Gonna Do With My Lovin" by Stephanie Mills, originally out on 20th Century in 1979, and delivers a handy 9 minute edit perfect for DJ use.

Review: What a reissue! Two of Ray Charles' most well-known, influential hits on one cheeky 45... What's not to like? From thundering piano blues of "Mess Around" to the Kanye-hyped croons of "I Got A Woman", these are unarguably formative moments in funk history. Originally released in 1953/54 respectively both tracks hold just as much weight 60 years down the line. No collection is complete without them.

Review: Re-press of two dancefloor classics!

Review: 'Hard Times' is a mega rare outing from Chequers which they dropped back in 1983 at the height of popularity for this sport of sound. It's irresistible electro-boogie that will get you in a spin in no time. The squelchy bass, r&b vocals and withering sci-fi disco synths all bring real colour. Flip it over and you will find the equally stellar 'If You Want My Love'. This is the first time this one has ever been reissued by its Freestyle label. Don't sleep on this surefire party starter and underground classic.

Review: Blackcat repress this 2009 45" and its spread remains as broad and beautiful as it did five years ago. "Come Back To Me" takes us back to 1976 as Native American soul girl Cheyenne's rich, gut-driven delivery tops a seriously tight funk cake that's flavoured with blistering horns and crisp guitars. "Take Me To Your Home" takes us even further back to 1973. Taken from their debut album Now Hear This, it's a sparkling, jazz-tinted psychedelic slice that harbours some seriously warm keys. Guaranteed to remain broad and beautiful for a long, long time to come. Grab it while you can.

Review: Tramp Records is one of Germany's tiniest (in their own words!) but funkiest labels who release new bands, but also re-issue quality rare funk, soul and jazz too. This time around they present us with City News for some truly authentic porn-funk soul vibes that you would honestly be convinced were from the early seventies in the vein of Hot Chocolate or Ramp like on the tremendous A side "Bustin' Up". On the flip we've got "Chan The Man" a kung-fu fightin' hoe down aboard the soul train express.

Review: It's always a buzz to see a new Athens of the North 7" drop onto our shelves. This first drop of the year comes from label regulars Coast to Coast who had their unreleased and self-titled soul album reissued here back in October 2021. It is the opening track from that glorious record that gets its own pressing on 45 rpm here with an instrumental on the flip. The original from core members Mark Beiner and Ben Iverson, 'Love Is The Same' has glorious vocal falsettos and super sweet rhythms that bring feel-good vibes like no other.

Review: Coffee's "Casanova" was recorded in 1980. here is the original 12" version. There are no words to explain what you feel when you dance to this for the first time. A pure London 80's classic.

Review: Two tracks taken from the new self titled album on Strut from guitar legend Dennis Coffey, the man responsible for the B-Boy classic and million-copy selling ''Scorpio''. Dennis was also a member of the Motown Funk Brothers backing band and was key to bringing heavy wah wah guitar to soul and R&B during the late 60s. Stones Throw artist Mayer Hawthorne assists on the A Side, covering a George Clinton penned track with Mayer's vocals sounding soulfully sweet. On the flip Milwaukee outfit Kings Go Forth get to grips with a new composition, a fantastic dancefloor shaker with funk rock overtones and heavy on the Hammond organ. Tough stuff all round - Dennis Coffey is back!

Review: Coke Escovedo used to be a big Latin funk producer and with 'I wouldn’t change a thing' on Unique, he produced a modern soul bomb! This tune has got everything: Breaks, Percussion, Soul Voice, Saxophone! It was first released on his Album in ´76 and was never released on a 45!!!!!

Review: Well, you can certainly rely on the excellent Daptone label to deliver the finest in blues and soul music, which is exactly what's up with this glorious 7" from The Como Mamas. Hailing from Como, Mississippi, these three ladies know a thing or two about gospel music, especially about how to make it as funky as humanly possible. "Move Upstairs" steps back and forth with the unmistakable Southern flair, all joyous and full of good will, while the B-side, "Count Your Blessings", goes down a moodier, more soulful path that we instantly associate to the deep South and its iconic influence on black music. Wonderful stuff.

Review: Cookin' On 3 Burners are Australia's foremost organ trio, joining the dots between funk, soul, boogaloo and jazz. Long time partners Lance Ferguson (guitar), Ivan Khatchoyan (drums) and Jake Mason (organ) have taken their home brew of 'soulful Hammond get down' everywhere from national jazz festivals to after hours bars and clubs. "Cook It" is released on Freestyle.

Review: Alternative Parisian label Trad Vibe proudly issue two rare and previously unreleased tracks from elusive cult French band, Cortex. "Unreleased Versions" meanders through soul, jazz, funk and chill out on its two tracks, "Les Oiseaux Morts" and "Mary & Jeff." Led by Alain Mion, Cortex are a French jazz-funk band with an extremely rare discography that drives record collectors and music lovers wild. Happy to part with handsome figures in exchange for their rare releases, the record collectors out there are dealt a lucky treat here, as are music lovers of all types, as they are given the chance to own two tracks that only a handful of fortunate people have ever heard. Side A is an alternate and previously unreleased take of "Les Oiseaux Morts." A slower and deeper version, it grooves its way through gentle French jazz-funk and soft pop. A crawling drum beat joins melodic keys as the track smoothly glides along to the soulful male vocal. "Mary & Jeff" is much more upbeat. It was recorded for television in 1977 and includes an explosive Fender Rhodes chorus giving the release a truly special feel as the original track was performed on an acoustic piano. Alongside this, there are plenty of funked up guitars and energetic drum rolls making for an enthralling five minute hair raising ride through Parisian jazz at its untamed best. Owning something rare always comes with a special feeling in itself, but when the rarity also sounds this good - then you really have got something special on your hands.

Review: "Loft Classics Volume 16" features some really great edits that do exactly what it says on the tin! This Loft Classics release includes some super-rare cuts from Crown Heights Affair and Brian Briggs.

Review: The love of all things Soviet and disco has been established by French/German duo Fulgeance and Scientist for several years now, having reached a peak last year with their album The Soviet Tape on First Word. Now they return with their own edit series on brand new label Excursions. With eyes squared fully on the floor, each obscurity is given some serious groove muscle for the floor... Charaunitsy's soulful croons and yearning horns are given an additional kick/snare swing, Latvia's Mirdza gets a deliciously camp turbo charge while Ukraine's Tatyana Kochergina gets a full-on Philly treatment with lavish strings and a bassline that won't say nyet.

Review: The very upbeat 'Can't Live Without You' further reminds
one of Phyllis' diverse repertoire, a disco-flavoured track not to be
missed, on the flip is the superb mid-tempo version by Connie Laverne. Sweet, sweet, sweet soul.

Review: New afro-beat funk out of Montreal, Canada. This 7" was originally released in 2005 but with no distribution in Europe. Check out the huge funky house/disco bassline on this club banger, with authentic afro-styled vocals and live horns that remind us more than a little of Chicago's "Streetplayer", plus keyboards and percussion. All said, this is catchy as heck, put this on and watch people flock to the dancefloor.

Review: Although this tidy little 7" from Mako and The Hawk might sound like it was made in the late 80s on a pair of cassette players, these two beatsmiths are very much part of the current wave of dance producers, and Number Nine is there to support them on their mission. "The Devil Made Me Do It" is a funky, breaks-heavy funk bomb guided by Chima Anya's masterful lyricism, while "Strut Your Strut" is slower, looser and that little bit deeper for those B-side cats. Whether you're into old-school hip-hop or soul music, this EP has what it takes to float your boat good and proper.

Review: Originally released back in 2003 - "Your Love Is Mine" not only features The New Mastersounds in an unusually laid back mood, but also the vocal talents of this years biggest success story - Ms Corinne Bailey Rae. "A British soul singer who will warm your heart one minute and break it the next" - bbc.co.uk "A voice so fabulous that after I hear this I will melt." - Jools Holland. Voted the Sound of 2006 by the BBC News website - a poll of 100 of the most influential journalists, broadcasters and producers in the UK " A deep soul ballad delivered by Corinne Bailey Rae. It's a love song that conjures up those lazy, hazy summer days lounging with your lover as all around time stands still' - Straight No Chaser. "Simply beautiful" - witchesbrew.com On the flip we find Montreal's finest DJ and producer Fred Everything turning in an excellent remix. Usually known for his deep and soulful house excursions, here he retains the original feel and flow of the track, but with added bumps and turns that makes it more palatable for DJs. Also included is the raw, stripped-down acapella of the song, which exposes Ms Bailey Rae's true talent in its barest form.

Review: Big, big repress from the legendary Le Cam imprint right here... it's some heavenly Texan Rare Grooves by Six Feet Under, and we know you'll love this one because it flew out last time it was in. "Hot Foxy Woman" is the charmer on here, a tune capable of melting even the toughest of souls, and that's both for the music and the vocals - pure silk and charm throughout! On the flip, Christian Plicque has his own say on the matter, coming through like Barry White on the ones and twos, and giving Six Feet Under a run for their money with his wonderful version.

Review: We can think of few finer stocking fillers for funk aficonados than this fifth Funk & Soul Club compilation from actor/comedian-turned-radio host Craig Charles. As with previous volumes, the Red Dwarf star and BB 6 Music host has included a mixture of original funk era cuts and recent revivalist gems. In the latter category you'll find a stellar instrumental cover of Rick James' "Super Freak" by The Traffic, the dancefloor-burning sound of Nicole Willis and the UMO Orchestra and the brilliant boogie revivalism of Australian singer Kylie Audist. In terms of deeper older selections, look no further than the 1973 jazz-funk re-make of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" by Brian Auger's Oblivion Express and the Afro-funk explosion that is "Nawa" by Ginger Baker & His African Messengers.

Review: Having re-invented himself as the UK's favourite funk and soul selector via shows on BBC 6 Music, comedy actor-turned-Corrie cab driver Craig Charles brings his wildly successful Funk & Soul Club brand to CD for the first time. Pitched at newcomers rather than confirmed diggers, it features a mix of well known nu-funk floor fillers (The Apples' version of RATM's "Killing In The Name", Nostalgia 77's ubiquitous White Stripes cover), lesser-known cuts from modern soul 'names' (Speedometer, The Haggis Horns, The Bamboos), older gems (Al Wilson, Incredible Bongo Band), a dash of reggae and a few curveballs (Treva Whateva's long-forgotten banger "Singalong"). Good times guaranteed.

Review: Self-proclaimed "complete package" Craig Charles (actor, poet, DJ, radio host, stand-up) seems to be enjoying life as Britain's most famous funk and soul fan. Here, he curates a second installment of his Funk & Soul Club compilation series. Predictably, there's plenty to tickle the fancy, from the reggae-soul-house shuffle of Lack of Afro's remix of Hidden Jazz Quartet's "High Heels", and the psychedelic funk madness of The Bongolian's "The Riviera Affair", to the celebratory release of Jessica Lauren Four's "Happiness Train" (featuring a brilliant vocal from old Jocelyn Brown), and a pair of ripsnorting cover versions (Cookin' On Three Burners' fantastic take on Numan's "Cars" and Hot Eight Brass Band's famous remake of the Specials' "Ghost Town").

Review: Donald Glover has many strings to his bow. Although rooted in rapping and beat making, these days he's arguably best known as the creator and star of hip-hop comedy Atlanta. Intriguingly, his latest album largely eschews the hip-hop blueprint, instead focusing on flash-fried funk rock sound that recalls the glory days of Sly & The Family Stone, as well as modern day imitators such as Plantlife. It's a bold move, but one that he pulls off impressively. Awaken My Love succeeds, in part, due to his obvious affection for the style. Whether serving up considered ballads, or more raucous material, Glover gets a perfect balance between psychedelic freakiness and kaleidoscopic soul.