Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Continuing their mission to retrouve genres across the spectrums of Latin funk and cumbia, Original Gravity welcome back founding favourites Luchito and Nestor Alvarez with yet another sonic vitamin D pill, presaging the warmer days to soon come. Both sides tap into that rich 60s and 70s Afro-Carib crossover sound, with, at least on the face of it, no studio trickery in earshot (though careful listens reveal the method behind the majesty). Anyone with a weakness for brass-led Latin burner will melt on contact with this one.

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.

Review: La Ruka is a prominent artist from Colombia's Pacific Coast. She blends hip-hop, salsa, Afro-Colombian roots and urban Latin genres in her music even though she is now based in Barcelona. Her live shows are always high on energy and tunes of hers like 'No Quiero Marido' and 'Todo Es Plata' are some of many standouts from the last 20 years. Her lyrics often focus on Afro-descendent women and life in Buenaventura and this new EP is another injection of Latin rhythms direct to your soul. Each one is sun kissed and percussive with irresistible production from the likes of JMoney, Village cuts and Lanzapro.

Review: Wewantsounds continues its deep dive into Algerian music with the first-ever reissue of Les Abranis' sought-after-by-those-who-know 1983 long player, Album No. 1. Originally recorded in Paris and privately pressed in small quantities, the album, which is also known as Id Ed Was, fuses Kabyle rhythms with funk and touches of reggae. This reissue has been curated by Cheb Gero (of recent Sweet Rebels compiling fame) and features remastered audio, though it retains the original artwork. It's a great line document of Algeria's diasporic groove with a two-page insert featuring fresh liner notes by journalist Rabah Mezouane.