Ivano Fossati - "Night Of The Wolf (Tema Del Lupo)" (4:00)
Review: Measured Mile records puts two classy soul tracks onto the same 7". Originally released in 1974, Act 1 - 'It's The Same Old Story' is often looked over classic of the era. Act 1 hailed from Detroit and featured Raeford Gerald, Roger Terry, Reggie Ross and George Barker. The band had two minor hits but often people recall 'It's The Same Old Story' as their favorite of their only full album. Ivano Fossati's 'Night Of The Wolf' is found on the B-side. A jam song that verges slightly into Latin music, asks for quite a sum of money for its original copy. Both tracks add up to a real gem of a 7".
Review: "Fever" is one of Horace Andy's biggest hits. Amazingly, it has never been given its own release so Studio One has done the right thing and put it out on a super loud 12" for the first time. It first landed way back in 1973 before Andy rose to contemporary fame appearing with Massive Attack on five of their albums, but still hits hard. The lush vocals sit well in the swinging drums and bass, and makes it a sure fire dance floor destroyer that won't hang around. Comes accompanied with a Cedric "Im" Brooks instrumental version on the flip.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Horace Andy - "Fever"
Im & The Agg - "The Flue"
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
"Fever" is one of Horace Andy's biggest hits. Amazingly, it has never been given its own release so Studio One has done the right thing and put it out on a super loud 12" for the first time. It first landed way back in 1973 before Andy rose to contemporary fame appearing with Massive Attack on five of their albums, but still hits hard. The lush vocals sit well in the swinging drums and bass, and makes it a sure fire dance floor destroyer that won't hang around. Comes accompanied with a Cedric "Im" Brooks instrumental version on the flip.
Nathan Haines - "U See That" (feat Vanessa Freeman & Marcus Begg - Atjazz Love Soul mix) (5:12)
The Realm x Atjazz x Kelli Sae - "On The Road" (vocal mix) (7:58)
Review: Back ion 2021, the relaunched Foliage Records imprint offered up a killer mix from NYC house legends Mood II Swing, the must-check Deep Rooted. Soon, the revitalised label will release a sequel, with long-serving British deep house don Atjazz at the helm. This sampler EP boasts six of the highlights from that set - all remixed and reworked by Atjazz himself. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the tense, slowly building deep-tech shuffle of Halo''s 'Glorty (Atjazz Galaxy Art Remix)'and the sun-splashed 6am bounce of Atjazz's remix of Dominique Fils-Aime's gorgeous 'Sun Rise', to the dreamy dancefloor wooziness of Ralf GUM's 'AWA' (re-imagined by Atjazz as an Osunlade-esque spiritual house workout) and the jazzy, bass-guitar-propelled broken house excellence of 'On The Road (Vocal Mix)', a three-way collab between Atjazz, Kelli Sae and The Realm.
Review: Here's the huge US release of Bah Samba's "Calma" on Louie Vega's own Vega Records imprint. This one is an absolute must for the fans of deep and Latin flavored organic house, with Louie doing it lovely on his remix. The perfect end of summer record, "Calma" is a lush Latin groover with loads of keyboards and a fantastic female vocal from Isabel Fructuoso riding on top.
Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur - "Smooth Sweet Talker" (6:53)
Review: Get yourself geared up for festival season with some fierce party starters certified with the Glitterbox stamp. Melvo Baptiste leads the charge with 'Sweat', a sizzling disco house stomper with Dames Brown giving the biggest diva energy on her show-stopping vocal. Lovebirds bring unbridled joy on the Philly string swoon and slinky b-line funk of 'Burn It Down', while Art Of Tones & Inaya Day keep it peak time on the sassy strutter 'Give My Love'. Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur complete the set with 'Smooth Sweet Talker', another bright and bold vocal cut par excellence.
Lenny McDaniel & The New Era - "Something Out Of Nothing"
Pat Brown - "The Good Got To Suffer For The Bad"
Eddie Bo - "From This Day On"
Review: Blimey....not one single, not two but three 45's housed as a triple pack of essential re-issued releases from New Orleans label Seven B via the mighty Jazzman label. This package picks out possibly the rarest and best tracks from the label which traverses the genres of breakbeat funk, Northern Soul and original Rhythm n Blues flavour. One highlight for us here at Juno towers is the infectious "Something Out Of Nothing" from Lenny McDaniel & The New Era which starts off with a stompy organ and fierce brass section before a thumping bass and fat beat drums take over the proceedings. Elsewhere there's the amazing Roger & The Gypsies jam "Pass The Hatchett" which starts off with a growling bass, picked rhythm guitar before Roger drops those immortal lines.''Let Me Chop It.. Let Me Chop It'' over b-boy drums. Pure gold!
Review: Colin Curtis - an early purveyor of rare groove and jazzdance whose credo rings far and wide - has been helming his own label of originals for some time now. Presently focusing on the best live-feel broken beat, house and jazz in his orbit, his latest curation, Cengiz and Ishfaq's 'Vibrations', is no break from this general rule. Each artist helming one side respectively, Cengiz' 'Motf' and its remix work a steadily built progression around faint jeers, metallic percs, filterpassed tom fills and space-age risers, the latter of which is much more skeletal than the former; while Ishfaq's 'Wonderjazz' moves impressively somewhere in the lost interregnum between speed garage and techfunk.
Review: The miraculous collaboration single "I Don't Know" by Chara and IN-SIST is finally re-released after 10 years! This iconic 7-inch features Chara, a standout in the J-Pop scene, known for her deep roots in black soul music. The A-side, "I Don't Know," is a timeless soul classic that showcases Chara's influence and artistry, solidifying her status as a Japanese pop icon. On the B-side, you'll find IN-SIST's superb hip tune "On & On," adding an extra layer of groove to this must-have release. This reissue brings back the soulful energy and enduring appeal of a legendary collaboration.
Claudette & Ti Pierre - "Zanmi Camarade" (Tropical Treats edit)
Ti Marcel - "Nan Point La Vie" (Siwo version)
Ibo Combo - "Mateau"
Les Lups Noirs - "Pile Ou Face"
Review: Killer new Sofrito 12" with hypnotic Carnival rhythms, DIY electro and vital Compas experiments from the Haitian archives! Lead in the way is a subtle edit of "Zanmi Camarade" from Claudette & Ti Pierre by Stockholm's Tropical Treats crew, this 1979 cover version of the folk song that is quite bewildering, with haunting vocals weaving a spell over a heavy polyrhythmic drum machine groove and arpeggiated synth backing. Just as impressive is the Siwo update of Ti Marcel's rugged, hypnotic Rara track "Nan Point La Vie" is dominated by the single-note 'Vaksin' bamboo flute, which Sofrito call "nature's sub-bass". Holding it down on the B Side is some untreated material, with an Ibo Combo cover of Coupe Cloue's evergreen "Mateau" complemented by a "Pile ou Face" from Les Loups Noirs which was a highlight of the Strut compilation Haiti Direct.
Review: When Toronto-based and ever versatile label Do Right! released 'Required Listening' - a raw, diverse and stunning compilation of sounds by artists from Toronto
- critics and music lovers around the globe took notice. 'Required Listening Volume 2' promises to keep up that standard of quality by featuring fresh tracks from
the West Coast, to the East Coast, with some stops in between. Vancouver's Cobblestone Jazz, a band comprised of world-renowned techno producer Mathew
Johnson, programmer Tyger Dhula and keyboardist Danuel Dante who are known for their hype live shows and their jazzy, minimal techno sound heard on the
track 'Creator'. Johnson's own tracks have received critical acclaim and have been caned by Laurent Garnier, Richie Hawtin and Tiga. Cobblestone Jazz have
been steadily creating a buzz around Europe, and were recently featured on Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 1. Also representing the West Coast is 8-member band
1 Luv along with vocalists Amaila Townsend, Deanna Teeple and Dawn Pemberton. Their groovy, soulful, jazzy house track 'Starz' explains why this band was
discovered by uber-crew Jazzanova and was featured on their 'Secret Love 2 Folk' compilation and how their music has been finding its way into the crates of
people like Phil Asher, Osunlade and Benji B. 'Starz' is taken from 1 Luv's debut album 'Neophilia' on Sonar Kollektiv.
Review: Colonel Red & Inkswel's latest project, proudly presented by Liquid Beat, delves deep into themes of freedom, liberation and self-reinvention with an immediate, soulful sound. Their music, characterised by layered rhythms and poetic songwriting, underscores the joy of breaking free from mental and economic shackles, emphasising its importance for humanity and historical justice. On Side-1, 'Joy' is a slow-burning groove that blends hot rhythm and blues with a strong urban essence. The track's compelling beat and soulful vibe make it a standout. 'This Side,' by way of contrast, offers an upbeat funk infused with psychedelic elements, reminiscent of George Clinton or even Fishbone. This track brings a lively, infectious energy that invites people to celebrate and move. This project pushes a bold, decisive artistic vision rooted in the human spirit.
Review: Under the Danced Til Midnight alias, DJ Andy Anderson has always produced music that eschews easy categorization. His two previous 12" singles successfully blended elements of funk, soul, disco, hip-hop, house and Afrobeat. This madcap, all-that-counts-is-the-dancefloor feel is continued on "She Can't Love You", which laces Ijeoma's soulful, R&B style vocal over a backing track that variously doffs a cap to fuzzy funk, boogie, breakbeat and disco-house. Similar could be said about the more breakbeat-minded "Maxx E", which feels like a reworked instrumental dub of the title track. Speaking of reworks, the EPs's highlight is arguably Egyptian Lover's punchy electro remake of "She Can't Love You".
Review: King Storm and The Steadies share the bill on the new 7" label from Stix/Big Single - Killer Jamaica style remixes of Diana Ross and Isley Brothers - For fans of Stix etc.
Review: By now Future Nuggets have surely been established as one of Romania's leading exponents of leftfield electronic oddities, and they don't disappoint on the surprising delights of this new 7" from Renato Din Sala and Ion Din Dorobanai. There's an Eastern lilt to the vocals and melodies on both tracks, but they're framed by some wonderfully quirky synth parts and budget drum machines. "Nu E Injoseala (N-am Carti De Credit)" in particular capitalises on cranky monosynth squelch and organ wails, while "I Love You Viata Mea (Lema)" takes a more energetic approach and works some Rhodes-like sounds into the mix.
Review: The dazzling Star Creature label has an impossibly feel good future retro disco-funk gem on its hands here courtesy of E Da Boss. E has been turning out killer jams for many years and this time joins forces with Ishtar for 'Fool 4U'. It has funky-ass bass slaps down low, with plenty of jazzy and cosmic keys up top and boogie grooves that make you move. The vocal is acrobatic and brings sultry soul on the E live remix. On the flip the original is a little more upright with 80s chord vamps, noodling guitar licks and the vocal still bring the soul. Two gorgeous cuts for cosy dancefloor vibes.
Review: Ed Black, aka "edbl," is an increasingly prominent hip-hop and R&B artist and composer who has emerged from South London's indie music scene alongside luminaries like Jorja Smith and Jamie Isaac. His sound, a blend of lo-fi soul and hip-hop akin to Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch, garnered attention when Spotify UK featured him on their New Music Friday cover. Additionally, Music Business Worldwide Magazine nominated him as one of The Hottest Independent Artists In The World and now he backs up that potential with 'The Way Things Were,' featuring the mellifluous vocals of Isaac Waddington.
Review: Eddie C met fellow Berlin-based artist LJ Simon a couple of years back. The pair bonded over their joint love of "boogie-funk" (as Soul Clap put it) and soon the Canadian was in the studio remixing a couple of Simon's collaborations with vocalist Idriss. Now presented on this "45" as a vinyl-only release, those two mixes are well worth checking. On side A you'll find 'I Wonna Know' [sic], a delicious fusion of Soul II Soul style street soul, tactile boogie synths and grandiose orchestral disco samples topped off by a fine lead vocal. The flipside dub of 'Rendez-Vous' is arguably even better - a jaunty boogie-reggae affair piled high with colourful synth sounds, echoing vocal snippets and toe-tapping beats.
Review: Yuima Enya & Inokashira Rangers offer fresh takes on classic Sade tracks with their new release. 'Smooth Operator' transforms into a smoothed-out lounge record infused with reggae, while still retaining the soul and pop appeal of the original. On Side-2, 'Kiss of Life,' becomes a breezy jam with a subdued yet vibrant lounge band feel. Hats off to them for tackling such beloved songs and making them their own. These are great alternative versions, bringing new life to Sade's classics while respecting the originals. Perfect for fans looking to experience these timeless tracks in a new light.
Review: Japanese rocksteady and reggae revivalists Inokisara Rangers have spent much of their career delivering radical cover versions of everything from Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and New Order's 'Blue Monday' to Pharrel Williams' 'Happy' and Underworld's 'Born Slippy'. They're at it again on their latest "45", with vocalist Yuima Enya joining them for two more ear-catching reggae revisions. On side A they offer-up a typically jaunty, organ-heavy take on Britney Spears/Mark Ronson favourite 'Toxic', reimagining it as a cheery and skanking reggae-soul bumper. Arguably even better is the flipside cover of R&B classic 'Waterfalls', which in their hands becomes a slow-motion reggae sing-along.
Instrumental Band - "Love Can Last Forever" (4:04)
Review: All welcome Stylart: a brand new soul venture from Timmion. They're launching with Fred, a new artist who apparently has a complicated past. From the raw falsetto energy and emotion seeping from this slow burning jam he probably has. The authenticity is backed all the way by the equally vaguely titled Instrumental Band who provide the - you guessed it - instrumental on the flip. Beautiful.
Review: Sloppy drums that sound as cool as a skilled, but stoned funky drummer, lay the foundation to "Tanz In Theo's Beat Bar", the first track on this summery EP by an emerging collaboration between Glenn Astro and IMYRMiND. This latest record is the duo's third release, which this time lands on German label Box Aus Holz, and helps maintain the projects one-record-a-year output. Fans of Al Dobson Jr will enjoy the sounds on "Stimming Ne!?" - same goes with Hermine" (interlude II) - although the drums are much heavier this time, while hip hop themes and many-a woozy synth nestle their way into this generous seven-track EP.
Review: Heralding a quarter century of service for one of Italy's best-loved record stores, three certifiable house troubadours join forces to offer up tracks of the finest calibre, not least if you love old-school flavoured Chicago house music. Glenn Underground is up first with the Latino-tinged roller "Spiritually Captured", all charming chords and lightly drummed percussion. Isoul8 brings a more gutsy kind of acid house that both punches in the bottom end and bubbles delightfully on top before joining up with Ricardo Miranda for the sublime "P Boogie". Combining heartbreaking arpeggiated twinkles with expressive bass and luxuriant pads, a truly spellbinding track is crafted, and it's certainly not one to miss out on.
Review: It is four and a half years since Third Ear released 'Detroit Beatdown Volume One'.
The first of the three volumes of the Detroit Beatdown Third Ear project was completed
with the cd release of the complete 'Detroit Beatdown Remixes' in 2006. 'Volume Two' will
be spread across 5 eps through 2007 and 2008. A 2cd and limited vinyl box set will complete
'DB2' before getting into the remixes and 'Detroit Beatdown Sessions' eps again. Check!
Review: Tunes Delivery is a sub-label of Scruscru's Scruniversa and now it enters into the world with a fantastic first offering in the form of this six-track various artists EP. 'Hotmood' opens up with the feel-good disco-funk of 'Just Tonight,' Scruscru keeps it real with 'Funky Flute' which is a nice languid instrumental and Frank Virgilio up the ante with some big horn-laced grooves. The flip side then comes on strong with three more brilliantly musical grooves that brim with catchy riffs and fresh disco-infused rhythms. A great start to what is sure to be a great label.
Review: Here's something rather special: I Bellissimi Dischi di Ornavass is an Italian duo project exclusively focusing on niche dance and disco experimentations, but their selections have an extra-curatorial and quality weight to them. It's not clear as to how much editing or post-prod has been added to the music, but this EP contains four tracks selected from the vaults of the secluded Archivio Fonomeccanico Ornavassese, a collection of old tapes and machines in Northern Italy that were long ago used to create sound effects and music for movies and radio shows in the 1970s-80s. Needless to say, SOMAR, a new Italian label that focuses on obscure and avant-garde sounds, have done god's work in putting this one out.
Reflect (I Thought It Was Me) (feat Moniquea - remix) (4:33)
Review: MoFunk has a lovely 7"on its hand here that very much has us pining for summer, warm outdoor parties and steamy funk sessions. I Ced's 'Call Me Up' (XL Middleton remix) is all squelchy boogie bass and shooting star chords. The effortless vocals do acrobatics up top and bring soul and joy to swell your heart. On the flip is another gem - 'Reflect (I Thought It Was Me)' feat Moniquea, which is slower, with finger clicks and swirling bass all warming you through while the chords build and the withering melodies bring yet more heat.
Review: Original Gravity strides into 2025 with this electrifying debut release from I Ragazzi. The limited 45 rpm has been crafted by the talented Neil Anderson and the title cut 'Terremoto' on the A-side bursts with funky, soulful energy that promises to keep floors moving and grooving all night long. It has big drums, crashing hits and driving Hammond organ stabs that never let up. On the flip, things get a little more laid back with 'Via Appia' which is led by more great organs, this time with swirling horn sounds and an inviting rhythm.
Review: Following great releases by the likes of The Rickie Clark Company, Lord Funk & DJ Moar, here is French label Boogie Butt's latest mainstream '80s funk project pressed as a limited edition on 7'. They are pleased to introduce the talented Ella May, who the label is currently working on forthcoming projects with, and who has a grasp on funk, soul and jazz. This one features the sensual, late night boogie (naturally!) -down vibe of '(Just) Remember' produced and arranged by Ian Ash. The B side features a modern funk rework by French producer Magoo.
Review: French label Boogie Butt gets us moving and grooving once more with a tasty new EP in the form of The Boogievison EP. It features a lead single from Ian Ash & Ella May, 'I Want To Thank You,' which pairs some jazzy chord work with a low-slung and warm house groove. The bass is funky and the vocals are seductive. It comes as an instrumental as well as a more direct and harder-edged Mr Doris & D-Funk remix. On the flip is Jessie Wagner & Fostin meet Ian Ash with 'Try Again,' a lovely soulful house groove with sublime and emotive vocals over another lush bass guitar. All very sweet tunes, these.
Review: According to Beating Heart, Hugh Tracey made several thousand field recordings across Sub-Saharan Africa between the 1920s and 1970s. His intention was to 'reveal the beauty and complexity of the music to a world that saw little value in it.' Fast forward to the present day, Tracey's bid to preserve the music of Africa for future generations lives on. Beating Heart has shared the late Tracey's archive at the International Library of African Music (ILAM) with contemporary producers and keeping in line with Tracey's vision, all proceeds will be used to assist people in the areas where the music was originally recorded. London's Throwing Shade, fresh of a great release for Ninja Tune turns in the vivid and polyrhythmic 'Dream Scene", Hotflush's Machinedrum gives us the intense polyrhythmic Sub Saharan trance induction of "Lewasi" while Ibibio Sound Machine gives us the soul-funk boogie of "Amai Ndiwulule".
Review: The talented DJ and producer who had his first success with remixes for artists like Dutch Rhythm Combo ("Come on" - Sket remix) or Erik Sumo, always had his very own vision of new urban club sound and stands in the tradition of Pulver artists such as DJ Angola and Inverse Cinematics. In collaboration with no one less than Capitol A he is juggling with influences from deephouse, jazz and disco. And in the end Icasol is creating this special sound that makes Pulver Records so distinctive and unique.
Review: Previously spotted passing hands for over 5000 quid, this one-off 45" from North Carolina troupe Ice has enjoyed cult status over the years in both the deepfunk and northern soul scenes. Straight from 1980, there's a great balance of classic soul motifs and modern production as "Reality" swoons and sways unhurriedly but emphatically while "Hey Hey" ups the boogie ante with firm focus on the party, sharp switches on the chorus and some insane bass runs. Another ice cold reissue from AOTN.
Review: Ltd B's good recent run of form continues with another dive into lush deep house realms courtesy of ICTV. First off the mark is 'Hit The Floor' with its US garage-inspired drums and some old school hip-house vocals. 'Orange Mood' is a steamy one with romantic melodies soothing the soul and some smart vocals adding a tough of firey soul. 'Adrift' then picks up the pace with some high-speed jungle breakbeats and 'Dazzling' sinks back into loved-up late-night sounds with expressive vocal yelps. Last of all, 'Sunset Recall' takes things down into blissed out realms with dusty drums and wispy pads.
A Place In The Sun (Kaoru Inoue remix 45 edit) (3:47)
A Place In The Sun (dub) (4:27)
Review: Yasushi Ide has a storied career reaching back into the 80s club scene in Japan, and he's worked with many a legend in his time. He originally released 'A Place In The Sun' as a Japan-only track on his 2012 LP Late Night Blues, and now the track has been revived by NYC label Love Injection. The track which led to this release was in fact a limited dubplate mix of 'A Place In The Sun' by Kaoru Inoue, which the Love Injection founders Barbie Bertisch and Paul Raffaele found while on tour in Japan. In this remixed form on the A-side, or the dub version of the original on the flip, it's a resplendent slice of downtempo bathed in exquisite musicianship, not least Nobuyuki Nakajima's gorgeous Rhodes and Jamaican legend Ernest Ranglin's unmistakable guitar lines.
Review: Part of a series of reissues by Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids. Once privately pressed, Rhapsody In Berlin is the result of an extensive exploration of Africa before returning to the German capital. Both sides are built around one hooky refrain as each player takes the lead and the momentum into brave new areas. With a robust support from the heavy funk guitar backline and overwhelmingly funky drums, it's all about range of horns (muted or otherwise), flutes and pygmy flutes that weave tightly into each other with a sense of natural chaos. As the name of Idris's San Fran dance troupe suggests, this is a bona fide cultural odyssey.
Review: Following their surprise reunion and Strut-release album We Be All Africans last year, Idris and The Pyramids return... This time on Max Weissenfeldt's Philophon imprint. Laying down a spiritual arrangement so frenetic and full of its own life it takes up two parts, Idris's sax plays duet with Philophon's own vocalist Guy One. Gutsy, raw and full of surprises, it's another out-of-body experience from the longstanding jazz troupe.
Review: We're surprised that the superhero league The Jazz Avengers aren't more spoken about: the idea seems so familiar yet uncannily unknown, we wonder if the notion of a superhero troupe composed of entirely of Black jazz musicians would've been too disturbing for the US Empire not to suppress. Taking after the idea, Bryan Hervieu's 'Jazz Avengers' EP is an elegant quadruplet of boat-rocking house beats, holding more sway in the domain of vibe than they do in the way of big generic ideas. Igaxx and DJ Dreamboy's 'Through The Night' and 'New Life' move at similar tempi yet vibe at different freqs, the former waxing cowbell and dusky padwork, and the latter serving a relatively purist, calculative 808 jam energy. Jarren's 'Summertime In The 323' segues quite seamlessly out from this session mood, though it does add some surreal, pitch-convected plucks; Hanna's 'Prayin'' is the only soul curveball, its syncopated, pre-one DX7 E-Piano chord preset mixed to an impeccable, gut-churning quality.
I Love You (DJ Mitsu The beats remix - instrumental) (3:33)
Review: Cantaro Ihara won himself plenty of friends in the deep-digging vinyl community last year with a very special Japanese cover of free soul star Weldon Irvine's 'I Love You' on a lush little 45rpm. It is now a hard-to-find and expensive record that has been remixed by the one and only beatmaker DJ Mitsu The Beats. He adds one his tight, textbook beats under the lush and airy vocal harmonies to make for something playful and jazzy. On the flip is an instrumental version that really showcases DJ Mitsu The Beats next-level production chops. Cop this one while you can, because it's sure to fly just like the original.
B-STOCK: Dent on the middle of the record, product in perfect working order
I Love You (DJ Mitsu The beats remix) (3:30)
I Love You (DJ Mitsu The beats remix - instrumental) (3:33)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Dent on the middle of the record, product in perfect working order***
Cantaro Ihara won himself plenty of friends in the deep-digging vinyl community last year with a very special Japanese cover of free soul star Weldon Irvine's 'I Love You' on a lush little 45rpm. It is now a hard-to-find and expensive record that has been remixed by the one and only beatmaker DJ Mitsu The Beats. He adds one his tight, textbook beats under the lush and airy vocal harmonies to make for something playful and jazzy. On the flip is an instrumental version that really showcases DJ Mitsu The Beats next-level production chops. Cop this one while you can, because it's sure to fly just like the original.
Review: The legendary Ike and Tina Turner were at the peak of their collective powers back in the late 60s. For this Record Store Day, two of their most sought after classics make it on to a special 7". First up is an ice-cold early funk jam 'Bold Soul Sister' that has big funk guitar riffs from Albert Collins. It landed initially on the Blue Thumb label in 1969 and has since been pillaged by hip hop producers for all its golden samples. Reverse this one and you'll find 'Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You' which was a classic North Soul tune and has since become hugely sought after. It was written by Frank Wilson and an original will cost you over L150 so don't sleep on this one.
Review: Ikebe Shakedown is a collective of hyper-skilled instrumentalists who have been pushing boundaries for a decade now. That draw on raw and emotive 70s soul, psyche-sounds and Western soundtracks, and distil all that on this new red hot and pink 7" on Colemine. There is real majesty and joy in this tracks, which were recorded by Ikebe's bassist, Vince Chiarito, at Hive Mind Recording. Lush textures, nagging bass riffs and impressive playing chops all feature across a pair of tracks that very much tell a story that will have you coming back for more.
Review: It is always a highly anticipated event when Ikebe Shakedown drop new music and that is the case here once more. First up they tackle a legendary Ennio Morricone track as the A-side. Their take on 'Adonai' retains all the Western soundtrack charm of the original but with added horns, plenty of filthy but funky guitar riffs and a driving rhythm section sure to make its mark on the club. 'Waiting For The Storm' is a brand new cut that slows things down on the flip with jumbled drums and loose claps making for a more sensuous sound.
Review: Their first new material since their 2011 self-titled album, highly acclaimed Brooklyn funk septet let loose with two exemplary lessons in bright, tight timeless funk. "The Beast" is just one long head-nodding groove that oozes world class horn work. As we hit the sax solo there's a vague waft of Afrofunk but played a much slower, sedate tempo. "Road Song" is a little more upbeat but, thanks to some lone piano work, there's a touch of poignancy about the vibe. Think Booker T & MGs.
Review: 'Maledetta Quella Notte' is the first EP by Il Mago del Gelato, a new band from Milan (IT) with a strong Mediterranean imprint. This first album of theirs runs through funk, afrobeat and jazz; all the divergent strands make up the project, later convergent and blending in a nigh-perfect balance. Warm, watery, jazz-futuristic and easy on the ears, it's all held together by the uniquely Milanese fusion of vocoder, percussion, 80s synths, and roots guitars.
Review: Emre Ramazanoglu, Idris Rahman, Leon Brichard and Yahael Camara-Onono return as the Ill Considered crew in another one of their rhythmic jazz attacks that call to the dance floor from the very first bar! They're up on Jazz45 with two new gems; the first, "Crawled Back Home", is a charge of steely drums, bass and sax that together make for a moody broken beat, while the B-side's "Soul Provider" ups the tempo with a faster beat shuffle, more infectious bass, and a sax that lifts the tune way out there into the ether. Cop this quick as these will fly out!
Review: This 7" reissue, thanks to Deep Soul Entertainment, sheds due light on a hip-hop collab that perhaps didn't see the praise it deserved back in the day. The New York native duo Skratch, aka. Big Ill and Al Skratch, this time taking on their individual names, scored their biggest hit in 1994 with 'I'll Take Her', a sexually-charged g-funk track arousing sultry thoughts of cruising around Harlem or Brooklyn, scouring the streets for the honies. For those less inclined towards the song's (perhaps questionable) lyrics, there's also a new dub mix on the B-side, allowing the enjoyably weighty instrumental to shine and breathe.
Review: If as the title of this Illum Sphere EP suggests and The Plan Is Dead, then long live the plan as the Mancunian producer adds credence to the ethos he's one to watch next year with some gloriously forward thinking beat dynamics entrenched in rich colours and melancholic textures. Breath cannot help but be taken away with the opening heavenly tones of "One For Dimlite" with sumptuous guitar refrains swinging in hippy motion with joyous piano flourishes and vocal harmonies. "Diablo Day Out" twists hypnagogic electric synth lines and dramatic orchestral flourishes around a crescendo of loose drum crashes amidst of dense fog of murky dystopian frequencies, a sensation that seeps into the hissing half step head nod of "Supercharged". On the flip "An Old Escape (Kill Them Kill)" provides the jaw drop moment, kicking down the doors to your ear drums with a monumental mass of Martyn-esque bass movements meets Demdike Stare menace. More big moves from Hoya Hoya!
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