Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: AkizzBeatzz and Lego Edit join forces to mutually reinforce what they both do best: making disco edits and reworks of classic funk, soul and Afrobeat, and occassionally offering up the odd original track. The 12" 'African Groove' is a downtempo and weighty meditation on what it means to hail from the continent, with Akizz' A-side 'I'm An African' playfully laying down a diasporic big beat excursion, replete with regional instrumentation and defiant political vocal samples. Lego Edit's 'Sahara Adventures', meanwhile, works a chugging beat around a central algaita line.

Review: Musica Solida sampler 1 marks a thrilling celebration of 40 years of Flexi, the venerable record emporium that has stood the test of time in the ever-evolving music industry landscape. As the label weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, it has remained a beacon for vinyl enthusiasts, and this compilation embodies its enduring spirit. Curated by Flexi Cuts, Musica Solida promises a series of carefully selected singles spread across multiple 12-inch samplers, showcasing the talents of cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. With a vision to cultivate a movement of sublime tunes, the compilation aims to uphold the commitment to quality that Flexi has exemplified within the Italian music scene and beyond. Musica Solida sampler one sets the stage with an eclectic lineup of artists, each bringing their unique flair to the table. DJ Rocca stands as a stalwart of the clubbing scene, while Club Soda delivers live electronic ensembles brimming with house-flavored jams. Lex & Locke bring a touch of Greek sophistication to the mix, showcasing their groovy sound destined for future acclaim. Hiroyuki Kato emerges as a Japan-based multi-instrumentalist with a punchy debut track, and The Mechanical Man (feat. Bob Vito) adds a raw, gritty energy to the compilation. For those that are adventurous in finding unique music, you will want to check out this great release.

Review: Five years on from their debut collaborative EP 'Frisina Meets Toco', modern Brasilian dance artists Gerardo Frisina and Toco return for a second faceoff, this time with liaising artist Luzia Dvorek serving as ringmaster. Centring on samba-infused jazz and deep house with mystical and folk influences, "deixa passar" translates from Portuguese to "let it pass", though the mood is certainly not outright passive. This delectably quartered slice of carnivalesque dance music is rather rich in sonic papaya juice, charting sustained vocal contrasts between Toco and Luzia against smoky and furnaced beats. Aperient track 'Deixa Passar' leans heaviest on languid piano, whilst dozier mists emerge on the B-side in the form of 'Ile' and its rework by Gerardo Frisina, bringing pan flutes, strings, breathy vocal counterpoints, cabasa shaker, and subtle bass undercurrents.

Review: Brit-boogie obscurity alert! You might not be familiar with La Famille - a short-lived group established by jazz guitarist Alan Weekes, whose members also included then future Soul 2 Soul singer Caron Wheeler and a pre-fame Cleveland Watkiss - but in 'Dancer', they made one of the loveliest jazz-funk/boogie crossover records of the early 1980s. Originally a white label-only release and near impossible to find since, the record has long been crying out for a reissue. It has all the ingredients you'd expect - squelchy synth-bass, soulful vocals, leisurely jazz guitars, drum machine beats and an overriding sense of musical sweetness - and is presented in equally essential vocal and instrumental mix variations.

Review: The artwork for this new 12" from the System 108 label is eccentric enough to make you want to check out the music even if you don't know the artists. It's the sort of cover that suggests the music will be left of centre and quirky and that it is. 'Sao Januario' is a deep and lazy groove with sunny chords and jazzy keys that take you to the global south. 'Sunny Villa On A Distant Planet' is a twisted disco cut with house leaning drums and big cowbells under intergalactic synth lines. 'Rolando Nascer Do Sol' then rides a crisp electro breakout to keep you on your toes and 'OWL WCS' slows down for a cuddly back-to-mine style closer.

Review: Mother Tongue sure knows how to serve up some beautifully escapist and Balearic sounds and that's exactly what we have here with this seductive new 12" from Tiombe Lockhart feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow. This welcome return to the label from Lockhart comes as a teaser ahead of her new album Going Forth By Day. On this evidence, it's going to be a real doozy because 'An Osirian Dream' is utterly angelic. The vocals soar to the heavens next to celestial melodies over a gentle rhythm. Also included a beatless version and a couple of T's takes which get more jazzy.

Review: An elegant fusion of deep house, jazz-funk and disco all showcasing the Japanese house producer's refined touch. Side-1's 'Sei-Un' is a sophisticated blend of jazzy piano melodies, funky undertones and soulful house grooves, creating a warm and inviting soundscape perfect for late-night sessions. The track's seamless integration of jazz elements with modern production highlights Loftsoul's craftsmanship. On Side-2, 'Brilliant Funk' lives up to its name with dynamic grooves and an infectious vocal presence that channels the vibrant energy of early 80s funk. Its polished arrangement and nostalgic vibe make it a great dancefloor cut. Together, these two tracks for a vibrant mix of funk, house and jazz music.

Review: Jessica Lauren is a cornerstone of the UK jazz scene who has spent decades enhancing recordings and performances for legends like Jean Carne, Dexter Wansel and The Heliocentrics. As a core member of Emanative, her talents are well-known and her latest release, Film, affirms her status as a forward-thinking artist. Originally recorded in 1997 and released on CD in 1999, Film has been remastered and is now reissued on gatefold vinyl. The album's fusion of modal jazz, electronica, library music and field recordings feels remarkably current and blends acoustic and electric pianos, harpsichord and synths in a beguiling fashion. As such, Film cements Jessica's place as an innovative musical visionary.

Review: Steve Leach's Ocean Potion, set for reissue on Be With Records, is a hidden gem of Balearic beach-funk from 1976, featuring Leachiknown today as Seasick Steveiin his earlier incarnation. Originally released exclusively in France on Philips, this LP is a funky AOR and blue-eyed soul masterpiece, brimming with vibrant, pop-funk energy. Recorded with the Crystal Grass Orchestra, the album boasts a lush orchestral sound that perfectly complements Leach's smooth vocals and the rich harmonies of a stellar ensemble of backing singers. The supporting musicians are legends from the French music scene, including Don Ray as arranger and synth player, Marc Chantereau on percussion, Slim Pezin on guitar, Andre Ceccarelli on drums, Christian Padovan on bass, and Pierre Halation on flute. Their combined talents create a groove that is both immediate and infectious, making it hard to believe this record has remained relatively obscure. The reissue by Be With Records has been carefully remastered by Simon Francis, ensuring the sound quality is impeccable. Cicely Balston's expert cutting preserves the record's integrity, while the original sleeve artwork, featuring a topless Leach reclining on a piano-laden flatbed truck at the beach, has been beautifully restored. This long-overdue reissue brings Ocean Potion back to the spotlight, where it rightly belongs.

Review: Giuseppe Leonardi returns with his highly anticipated mini-album 7 on the fresh label Unsure following his acclaimed releases for Second Circle. This eclectic collection features seven tracks showcasing Leonardi's diverse musical range. Kicking off with the unexpected 'Suzi Wong' which blends reggae and dub influences with mutant disco vibes and captivating vocals, it then takes in tracks like 'Anti Narcotics Police,' 'Both,' and 'Rrrrrrr' with uplifting house beats with a quirky pop twist. 'Wonder Girls' and 'Wondering' evoke rhythmic echoes of Stefan Schwander's new work, while 'Deadline' brings funkiness and magical melodies. 7 is a unique sonic journey that brightens any day with its playful coolness and raw charm.

Review: Sudden Records debut Les Hommes' latest LP Si Cosi, describing the record as a set of "pulsar-driven groovetronics, folky modalisms in waltz time; dreamvitations to the cine-lounge." The three piece combo known as The Men have been an active force on the easygoing London underground, having first made their debut in a tiny club in Soho in 1994. They've since occupied the proscenium of lounge and club, relaxedly dropping three LPs and four EPs since then. This fourth LP brings the latest face of lounge music to the fore, with a set of eleven more careful but languorous compositions. Deploying instrumentation from Lowrey organ to bass clarinet to electric piano, the sensibility throughout is one of disbarred ease, best felt on the most muted among the cuts, such as the cricket-chirping modal jazzer 'Veronique'.

Review: With some of the best DJs and selectors, there is a certain mysterious sound or underlying feeling which unites the music they play, regardless of genre, year or tempo. British DJ, producer and music maestro Luke Una is a master of telling a story through music and this compilation is a perfect example of his musical alchemy in action. The second volume in his E Soul Cultura series, Una's intriguingly woven pattern of new, old, rare and under-discovered music from around the world became the soundtrack to rejuvenated positivity and won him favour with record outlets.
The compilation isn't just peacocking his crate diving ability, but it's a sonical narrative that engages the ebbs and flows of salsa, nu-disco, psych rock and Balearic. It's a grab bag of sounds, and each one is as intriguing and groovy as the last. Here's to a hopeful trilogy.