Isabela (feat Elza Soares & Cesar Camargo Mariano) (3:57)
Irere (feat Gilberto Gil) (5:18)
Samba Nova (4:13)
Quem Vem La (feat Marcio Local) (3:49)
Deixa Estar (feat Aleh) (4:34)
Lindos Olhos (feat Seu Jorge & Don Pixote) (3:45)
Aos Pes Do Redentor (feat Caetano Veloso) (3:27)
Review: Brazilian heavyweights Seu Jorge, Marcio Local, Elza Soares and Cesar Camargo Mariano all make up the legendary Banda Black Rio band. This was their much anticipate comeback album originally put out in 2001. Far Out have now secured reissue rights and serve up a special edition with two tracks that have never previously been on vinyl. They are 'Irere (feat. Gilberto Gil)' and 'Aos Pes Do Redentor (feat. Caetano Veloso)' and they sit with silky jazz-soul gems like 'Louis Lane' and contemporary samba jams like 'Samba Nova' with some exquisite guitar playing.
Review: As ably teased with their cheeky limited 7" earlier this month, the Staten Island 10-piece let loose with their fourth studio album. Still tighter than a squid's spy hole, still oozing international instrumental allure that will resonate with fans as wide as Fela Kuti and Babe Ruth, still awesome! Each track is an emphatic narrative told with real drama. Wig out to the bluesy, fuzzy displays of Sabbathian guitar domination on "Aphasia", get freaky to the aquatic Afro jazz of "Shattered Winds", immerse yourself in the wild Emerson-style keyboard freneticism and become hypnotised by the writhing snake-like trumpet lead on "Tomahawk". Truly, Burnt Offering will scorch your speakers.
Review: If you're into little-known South American gems from the dim and distant past, Mexico City's Discodelic label has got you covered. This limited-edition "45" marks the second instalment of their ongoing "Nicaraguan Afro-Latin" series and offers-up two deep cuts from the catalogue of tropical Afro-rock kings Bwama. Both tracks were originally featured on the band's second self-titled album in 1972. Our pick of the pair is A-side 'Ritmo Martizon', a richly percussive fusion of Guajira rhythms, salsa style pianos, gravelly funk-rock guitars and life-affirming vocals. That said, flipside 'Pa Goza' - a funky, shoulder-swinging affair featuring duelling organ and guitar lines atop a locked-in Latin beat - is also superb. In a word: essential!
Review: This killer UK boogie 12-inch by Tony Crockett was originally recorded and released in 1982. It has some brilliant raps delivered in an aloof style, with plenty of swagger, and a touch of campness. They sound dated but in a good, nostalgic way, while the music around still sounds fresh with the sleek bass and big flutes, low slung drums and warm chords. On the reverse is /Plane Jane', another cheeky bit of UK boogie that oozes funk and cool. These are fun tracks for sure and come in a full picture cover.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Let My People Go
Legs (part 1)
Didn't I
I Want Your Love So Bad
How I Got Over
My Momma & My Poppa
Sure Know How To Love Me
Listen To My Song
True
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
If you haven't got Ubiquity's 2006 Darondo collection yet, now is most crucially the time. Shucks, if you have got it, you might want this for the collection anyway. Criminally overlooked by funk tourists, the Bay Area legend was originally the soul preserve for serious collectors until Gilles Peterson, Jack Penate and even Breaking Bad brought him to our attention a few years before his death. With a stark vocal range that reaches falsettos Jack Splash could only dream of and a lyrical dexterity that sits solemnly between raw emotion and touching poetry, each track shows how helped shape the blueprint that the likes of Child Of Luv, Plantlife, Amp Fiddler and many others developed years later. Essential.
Review: Featured on this new white 7" are three separate and equally essential "redrums" from the soundtrack of Belly. They are great works from DJ A L starting with the slow motion and seductive claps and beats of 'Back 2 Life (Impreach edit with intro)' then cruising into the 'Back 2 Life' (Re-Drum-Apella) with more knowing beats and prominent snares, then last of all is 'Devilz Pie' (Re-Drum-Apella) which is lo-fi and lovably loved up thanks to the D'Angelo vocal up top.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
The Frog (2:36)
Celestial Showers (2:33)
Bambu (2:18)
Lunar Tune (4:52)
Cade Joel? (The Beautiful One) (2:08)
Debutante's Ball (2:57)
Straight Jacket (3:24)
Mosquito (Fly) (2:56)
Almas-Irmas (1:53)
Malandro (2:34)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Joao Donato is one of the most well known and prolific stars of Brasil's MPB (which is short for "musica populera brasileira") scene. He has toped several highly sought of albums and is still turning them out today despite already having assured his legacy. A Bad Donato is something of a move away from his Brazilian bossa nova roots - instead the album, which was recorded in LA, is electric and eclectic with funk, psychedelic pop and groovy Fender Rhodes driven sounds. This reissue on Verve By Request comes on nice heavyweight 180g vinyl with classics like 'The Frog' and 'Lunar Tune' still sounding fresh.
Right Place Wrong Time (Professor Shorthair remix) (3:46)
Hand Clapping Song (Professor Shorthair remix) (4:38)
Review: Professor Shorthair brings new life to classic grooves with Right Place Wrong Time, a limited edition splattered vinyl 7" that's as visually striking as it is sonically rich. Side-1 features the "Right Place Wrong Time" remix, a fresh take on Dr. John's iconic dance track. With updated drum work and a modern twist, this remix is tailor-made for the dance club, adding a hip edge to a timeless tune. On Side-2, "Hand Clapping Song" offers a stripped-down garage jam that blends funk and rock seamlessly. Reminiscent of Sly and the Family Stone, this remix captures the raw energy and infectious rhythm that will get listeners moving. Professor Shorthair's reimaginations make this a great vinyl for funk enthusiasts, offering two tracks that shine both on the turntable and the dancefloor.
Review: Glenn Echo and Daniel Meineck are back on Detroit label MotorCity Wine with their first new music in two years following their well-received Partly Cloudy album. What Happened to Yesterday? is, we are told, the first of two albums from the pair that will arrive several months apart. It finds the pair get super hazy and dubby, with psychedelic charm swirling around their absorbing grooves next to subtle cues taken from the diverse likes of DJ Premier and King Jammy. There is a superb Moog-based cover of De La Soul's 'I Am I Be', Afro-Carribean disco in 'Dancehall of Grandeur' and epic jazz-rock on Volcano Sound' so dig in and prepare to be wowed.
Review: Strut's reissue of Experience Unlimited's 1977 debut Free Yourself offers a fresh dive into a seminal record that paved the way for Washington D.C.'s go-go scene. Originally released in 1977, this album fuses soul, jazz, and funk-rock, showcasing the band's eclectic and pioneering style. Formed in 1973, Experience Unlimited caught the eye of Black Fire Records' Jimmy Gray after a school talent show victory. Bandleader Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott recalls their early days in the studio with a sense of youthful spontaneity, capturing their genuine selves. Free Yourself reflects this spirit with its vibrant and varied tracks. From the soulful reflections of 'Peace Gone Away' to the funk-driven 'Funky Consciousness' and the nascent go-go grooves of the title track, the album radiates positive energy and innovation. The reissue preserves the original artwork, including Malik Edwards' cover painting, and features remastering by The Carvery. Accompanied by a new interview with Sugar Bear and rare photos, this edition brings a crucial piece of music history back into the spotlight.
Review: Much celebrated new school jazz crew Ezra Collective finally unveil their highly anticipated new album Where I'm Meant To Be after a big summer single 'Victory Dance' got us all excited. This record comes on limited edition orange vinyl and is a life-affirming romp with their famous hybrid sound tasing in all manner of different styles, eras and scenes. Some high-profile features from Sampa The Great, Kojey Radical, Emile Sande and Nao bring extra goodness to this record which is certainly a product of the current London scene but also owes a debt to the sounds of southern Africa. It all adds up to a real doozy.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Life Goes On (feat Sampa The Great) (3:24)
Victory Dance (4:57)
No Confusion (feat Kojey Radical) (3:12)
Welcome To My World (7:14)
Togetherness (4:35)
Ego Killah (5:55)
Smile (5:04)
Live Strong (7:35)
Siesta (feat Emeli Sande) (5:47)
Words By Steve (1:52)
Belonging (5:57)
Never The Same Again (6:43)
Words By TJ (0:38)
Love In Outer Space (feat Nao) (5:40)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Much celebrated new school jazz crew Ezra Collective finally unveil their highly anticipated new album Where I'm Meant To Be after a big summer single 'Victory Dance' got us all excited. This record is a life-affirming romp with their famous hybrid sound tasing in all manner of different styles, eras and scenes. Some high-profile features from Sampa The Great, Kojey Radical, Emile Sande and Nao bring extra goodness to this record which is certainly a product of the current London scene but also owes a debt to the sounds of southern Africa. It all adds up to a real doozy.
Review: The vibrant Cuban music scene of the 1970s thrived with creativity, and FA-5's self-titled 1976 album perfectly captures that energy. Part of Mr Bongo's Cuban Classics series, the record blends Latin rock, funk, soul, disco, and Afro-Cuban rhythms into an eclectic and captivating sound. The funk-heavy opener, 'Muevete Con Las Fuerzas Del Corazon' features an infectious bassline, lively horns and drum breaks, setting the tone for a genre-hopping journey. With standout tracks like the Latin disco-funk 'Casa De Ladrillo' and a cover of Commodores' 'Brick House' this hidden gem, which was produced by Tony TaNo, is a must-have for both fans and collectors.
Review: Grupo Irakere's Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital is a landmark recording in Cuban music history. Originally released in 1974 and reissued in 2024, the album showcases a unique blend of Afro-Cuban jazz, funk, Latin jazz, and even classic rock. The big band sound, featuring guitars and percussion, creates an over-the-top energy that is both infectious and exhilarating. This album is not just a piece of Cuban music history, but a testament to the power of music to fuse different genres and create something truly unique and unforgettable.
I Really Love You (Full Length Studio version) (4:40)
Your Love Is Smokin' (5:09)
What's That Sound (Full Length Studio version) (5:10)
Free To Be Me (previously Unissued) (5:32)
You Changed Me (part 1 & 2 - Full Length Studio version) (7:11)
Nice Beat (Easy To Dance To) (previously Unissued) (5:33)
Get The Funk Off My Back (3:22)
Get It From The Bottom (previously Unissued) (3:58)
Review: Milwaukee outfit Impulse are one of those soul bands that melt the heart. Their buttery smooth vocals and the funky grooves down low are a perfect accompaniment to late night smoochy sessions or dance parties alike. Made up of Wisconsin musicians incising Michael Reese, Cedrick Rupert, Jeffrey Williamson and Robin Gregory, they wrote and recorded their self-titled album at Wally Heider's Studio in San Francisco but it never ended up getting a proper release, until now. There are some raw and guttural sounds like 'What's That Sound' in among the more loved-up moments, which helps make it a real doozy.
Review: La Retreta Mayor hail from Venezuela and includes members such as trumpeters Lewis Vargas and Jose Diaz, saxophonists Nelson Hernandez, Benjamin Brea and Rolando Barbosa on trombone amongst others. This self titled album is the only one the short-lived outfit ever released and it came in 1976. It's a fine fusion of jazz and funk with plenty of Latin flair and rich percussive layers, lead wind instruments and danceable disco grooves that bring real colour and vitality to the dance floor. Originals are hard to find and expensive so this is a timely reissue.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.