Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Originally hailing from Washington DC, Father's Children were one of the capital's most promising funk outfits in the late 70s. This new 7" reissue on South Street Soul revives two prized tracks from their Mercury Records era, produced by Wayne Henderson of The Crusaders. 'Hollywood Dreaming' is a breezy, rolling slice of mellow soul-funkithe sort of elegant groove that turns up on late-night radio, all gentle clavs and cruising vocals. Flip it and 'Shine On' turns up the energy, driven by a snapping slap bassline, crisp brass jabs and a slick group vocal arrangement. Both cuts originally appeared on their 1979 LP, but the original 45 has long been a holy grail for collectorsifetching triple digits. This reissue not only preserves the format but delivers on fidelity and style, giving DJs and heads alike a long-awaited chance to spin these Washington-grown grooves without fear of shelling out a fortune.

Review: Kelly Finnigan reunites with soul veteran Renaldo Domino for a new 7” single on Colemine, ‘Keep Me In Mind’, which hails from Kelly’s A Lover Was Born sessions, reviving a 1967 mid-tempo groove originally by Buffalo duo Samson & Delilah on ABC Records. Tracked entirely to tape across studios in the Bay Area, Ohio and Chicago, the record’s tight rhythm section and horn arrangements form a vibrant foundation for Kelly and Renaldo’s interwoven vocals. Their duet channels the spirit of classic male soul pairs like Sam & Dave and Eddie & Ernie, giving the track a fresh yet familiar energy. The single is primed to win over DJs and soul fans alike.