Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Dutch label Universo Positivo returns with label head Jospeh Salvador and house legend Orlando Voorn. Salvador has been active since the 1990s and has worked under various aliases and labels, while Voorn is known for connecting Detroit techno with European styles, and together they find a perfect sweet spot between deep and soulful house. The filter-funk energy of 'Slap My Funk' kicks off, then there's the boogie-fried and low slung house of 'Every Man Loves', jazzy melodies and big breaks of 'Break It Down' and strident, steamy disco-house stomper 'So Well.'

Review: This latest collection from Yugoslavia's Jugoton label provides a revealing snapshot of the country's diverse and often overlooked musical legacy. With remastered tracks drawn from the label's extensive vaults, it offers a fascinating blend of rare grooves, soul, and jazz, alongside the quirky folk-disco fusion that emerged in the wake of Tito's death. From the funky, breakbeat-driven 'Zlatokosa' to the smooth jazz textures of Bosko Petrovic's 'Trogir by Day', the compilation captures a musical landscape both nostalgic and ahead of its time. Artists like Novi Fosili and Josipa Lisac contribute to a sound that is distinctly Eastern Bloc, yet remarkably universal in its appeal. The selection not only highlights the richness of Yugoslavian music in the late 70s and early 80s but also reflects the cultural shifts of the era. It's an evocative listen, brimming with the kind of unexpected pleasures that continue to excite collectors and newcomers alike.

Review: Kalita returns with the third instalment of its Borga Revolution! series, continuing its deep dive into the sound of Burger Highlife, a genre born of traditional Ghanaian melodies, synths, drum machines, and disco groove-matics. Emerging in the 1980s during a time of great political turmoil, public strife and mass emigration, the style evolved as Ghanaian musicians abroad began blending their roots with the digital tools of their new homes. Volume 3 showcases rare and elusive cuts by the likes of Obibini Takyi, Osei Banahene, and Okyerema Asante, as well as keystone figures George Darko and Lee Dodou. The collection paints a fuller picture of a moment where innovation thrived in exile, and highlife was reshaped through transcontinental influence and technological experimentation.