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: Australian singer Nicky Nite Time and veteran Chicago second wavew house don Felix Da Housecat team up to rework Wham!'s 1984 classic 'Freedom', transforming its uplifting energy into a darker, harder-hitting, and low-key surreal dancefloor weapon. This bold refix pushes the track into pulsatory, late-night club territory, where the four walls about the dancefloor melt into strange shapes, and the checkered footlit floor cycles through the rainbow. The B-side includes Nicky's dub version for an alternative spin, along with an acapella, furthering our sense of possibility. A fresh, edgy, multi-version take on a beloved hit.

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.

Review: Emma Noble, the emerging soul singer from London, delivers a powerful performance on the girl group soul anthem 'Unstoppable'. Her second single, it's poised to become a next-gen floor-filler; catch us playing it on repeat, *in flagranti*, after it premiered on Craig Charles' BBC6 Soul Show in early 2025. 'Going Going Gone' backs it up on the B-side, as the first single from FPE's upcoming album Waves. Hearing rising Australian singer-songwriter and pop genius J Mahon on vocal duties, the track's catchy brass sections combine with J's androgynous soul vocals, and evokes the sounds of young Motown artists in the style's 60s adolescence.

Review: Gerardo Frisina, the Italian musician and producer renowned for his expertise in Latin jazz, delivers a captivating experience with Mystical Funk on Schema records. Side-1 presents 'Mystical Funk,' a mesmerizing blend of tribal drums, smooth funk grooves, and island vibes that transport listeners to exotic landscapes. On Side-2, 'Spaced Out' takes a more urban direction, featuring an infectious hip-hop/funk beat infused with sophisticated organ sounds and hints of jazz influences. Frisina's masterful production seamlessly merges diverse elements into cohesive compositions that exude elegance and groove.

Review: This is one of a couple of proper holy grail boogie funk gems that French label PBT are dropping this month. Love At First Sight by First Love was originally released in 1982 out of Chicago and is a rare gem that captures the peak of modern soul and funk. Led by powerhouse vocalist Yvonne Gage (who is credited as Yvine Gage), the newly reissued record deals in rich production by Randy B and Chuck Colbert, who are icons of the genre. Standout tracks include the synth-drenched 'Don't Say Goodnight' and the smooth, late-night groove 'Party Lights', while 'Don't Be Afraid' is a sentinel, string-laced slow burner. With deep basslines, tight drums, and lush synths throughout, this one is a real heart melter.

Review: A shape-shifting force from the American South, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones rerouted genre boundaries with their early 90s experimentations-none more so than this landmark second release. Built around banjo, bass, keys and Future Man's custom SynthAxe Drumitar, the quartet's playing here is deft, joyfully off-kilter, and quietly revolutionary. Their self-coined "blu-bop" style hits full stride, blending bebop's angular shifts with bluegrass warmth on 'Turtle Rock' and the dizzying 'Blu-Bop'. A woozy take on 'Michelle' and a surprisingly reverent reading of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' show off their melodic instinct without sacrificing invention. The telepathic interplay and tonal sharpness-especially in the low-end counterpoint of Victor Wooten's bass-make it clear how this group managed to top jazz charts while looking nothing like a traditional jazz outfit. It's a sound not pinned to any one era or idiom, but to pure creative glee.