Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Blending hi-NRG and Latin cumbia, Combo Chimbita present a brand new single for Wonderwheel Recordings, 'Dimelo'. Described as an internal dialogue - a sonic representation of what it feels and sounds like to choose yourself - the refrain "Cuando por fin yo me elegi" is heard repeatedly throughout the track, as self-selection is maximised, contra the impossibility of saving others before oneself. The band's Carolina Oliveros says of the song, "however much you love someone, you can't force them to love yourself in the same way - that is love you have to give yourself." The Busy Twist remixes the idea, self-caring through salvos of oily guitar and toe-tapping woodblock shot, hitting like a health kick.

Review: For five years, Acid Jazz has been showcasing Kevin Fingier's productions with each one carrying his signature Latin flair. It all began with 'Latin Dynamite', which sold out 15 days before its release and was followed by 'Cocktail de Medianoche' and 'Why Don't You Go Home', which were both instant sellouts. The second pressing of 'Latin Dynamite' included a fiery Latin rendition of the r&b classic 'It's Your Voodoo Working'. When Fingier released 'Not Strictly Soul,' it featured the Latin gem 'El Popcorn' which is now available on 7" for the first time. These four Latin Soul anthems are now united in one explosive Boogaloo EP that arrives just in time for summer.

Review: Now working under the alias Balaphonic, long serving Manchester artist Danny Ward steers his ear for percussion into something warm, rhythmically rich and hypnotic. He opens with 'Sunflowers in Dub (Deep Summer Mix)', where sitar, harmonica and fluttering keys glide across a humid dubscape, then folds in sun-dappled samba on 'Disorganics (All Strings Mix)', all brushed guitars and delicate groove. 'Six Fingers' leans deeper into Afro-Cuban melancholy, while 'Udders' chops South American drums into psychedelic loops, teasing out low-end heft. A standout collaboration with Ocean Waves Brasil, 'Oxum' blends gentle acid with dreamy textures and Afro-Brazilian swing, before closer 'Bloco Manco' lets off the brakes-delay-lashed, bass-heavy and totally locked-in. It's music built for dancefloors, but with the patience and touch of a drummer who knows when to let things breathe.

Review: Craft Latino celebrates the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1975 salsa album by Ray Barretto with a deluxe reissue. This remastered edition of Barretto features the debut of Ruben Blades and Tito Gomez and includes iconic tracks like 'Guarare,' 'Ban Ban Quere' and 'Canto Abacua.' It has long been considered a cornerstone of the genre in which Barretto blends rich Afro-Cuban rhythms with lyrical depth and masterful musicianship from legends like Sly & Robbie and Augustus Pablo. It's a real bit of Latin music history that shines bright and is packed with shuffling rhythms and the sort of expressive percussion and horns that take you to a different continent in an instant.

Review: Four Seasons in Kyoto marks the final chapter in Argentina-based electronica group The Kyoto Connection's ambient trilogy following Postcards and The Flower, The Bird and The Mountain. The series is inspired by the ambient and environmental music of 1980s-90s Japan and this final piece of the puzzle paints another delightful musical portrait of rural life that has long been shaped by nature and tradition. Across 14 delicate, transportive compositions, producer Facundo Arena captures the emotional rhythm of Japan's changing seasons with whimsical melodies and gentle percussive patter, soothing vocal coos and more eerie and autumnal pieces. With contributions from Japanese friends and fans, this record feels personal and heartfelt and is a brilliant farewell to a project rooted in beauty and nostalgia.

Review: La Pambele, Bogota's salsa dura ensemble, distills the spirit of 1970s salsa while threading modern-day stories through every track. Their energetic and heartfelt music is a celebration of the culture that's so intrinsic to their city, blending bold rhythms with lyrics that hit close to home. In a city often perceived as less rhythmically charged than the coastal regions, the band defies the stereotype, delivering tracks like 'Para No Olvidar' and 'La Bella Y La Culebra' that pulse with energy and authenticity. 'Naci Mestizo', the album's title track, sees La Pambele collaborate with the seasoned Afro-Colombian folklorist Nicoyembe, adding layers of cultural depth and richness that further root the sound in Colombian heritage. The mix of piano, conga, flute, and brass on songs like 'Amargura' and 'Son Cimarron' carries a nostalgic yet forward-thinking energy, embracing the past while pushing boundaries. There's a warmth and precision in the way the orchestra weaves traditional salsa with contemporary expressions, effortlessly moving between nostalgia and modern relevance, all while telling the story of the everyday Bogotano in its boldest form.