Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Vibe is back with more versions of Portishead classics from the mysterious Portishedd moniker. This latest 7" is a green slab with 'Glory' and 'Roads'. The A-side, like the B-side, is a remix from Kero Uno and it brings a swaying Latin feel and broken beats to the classic original vocal which rings out with a pained soul next to the eerie synths. 'Roads' is then a more late night and deep sound with the uneasy vocal whispers unfurling over lurching beats and swooning string sounds. It's a fine rework that is brilliantly atmospheric.

Review: Prime Time Band's 'Fall In Love In Outer Space' is one of the undoubted highlights of the latest Too Slow To Disco compilation - a quirky, 1985 curiosity that blends AOR, soft rock and spacey, synth-laden disco. Here the track is dragged into the 21st century by a sextet of remixers, most of whom treat the original with due reverence. Turbitto kicks things off by adding layers of tactile electronics and echoing effects to the obscure outfit's sumptuous, soft-touch vocals and instrumentation, before Blank & Jones re-imagine it as a dreamy Balearic disco chugger. The Chuggin' Edits tweak is tactile, groovy and super-slow, while Those Guys From Athens beef up the beats and add a touch of low-slung dub disco haziness. Meanwhile, 'Vibes4YourSoul' drop a warming, Rhodes-heavy interpretation and HOLDTight deliver slo-mo disco-funk vibes aplenty.

Review: A stunning showcase of Pu Poo Platter's ability to craft infectious, captivating grooves, Funk Night Records proves again here that is never disappoints in delivering top-tier funk from all eras. The A-side, 'Pbppbp,' features loose, live-sounding drum breaks paired with haunting chords creating an eerie, late-night vibe, complemented by soulful guitar lines. On the B-side, 'Pbpbppbb' slows things down with a laid-back groove, offering a relaxed, rolling rhythm enhanced by exquisite keys and smooth chords. This 7" is a perfect blend of energy and soul.

Review: You can never go wrong with the music put out by US label Funk Night. It covers all aspects of funk from across the ages and here we have some hot shit from Pu Poo Platter. First up on the highly effective 7" is 'Pbppbp' with its loose, rolling, live-sounding drum breaks and rather haunting chords which bring an eerie late night edge next to the soulful guitar lines which worm in and out. 'Pbpbppbb' then cuts back and chills you out with a more lazy rolling groove and some exquisite keys and chords.

Review: The Sound of Love International #006, selected by Jay Donaldson (aka Palms Trax), is a vibrant compilation reflecting the eclecticism of his DJ sets and radio show Cooking With Palms Trax. This collection celebrates obscure gems, many self-released or privately pressed, uncovering hidden talent from different eras and regions. Opening with Linda Waterfall's 'Clarity', a 1970s spiritual jazz-tinged folk piece, the album features tracks like 'Follow My Heart' by Sebastian, a soulful, sax-filled soft rock tune, and Frank E. Jeffries Jr.'s gospel-infused 'Did It Have To Be Me'. Highlights include 90s South African bubblegum tracks like El Pedro's 'La Luna' and 'Novidade's Masingita'. Belgian prog-rocker Zardoz's 'Brasilia Drums' and Danish virtuoso Gert Thrue's synth-driven 'I Play The Body Electronic' add cosmic textures, while Flayer's Balearic anthem 'Wanna Get Back Your Love' and Jeancky's 'Variations Sur Protestation' provide a serene close. Palms Trax has crafted a collection of rare finds, mixing genres and decades into a cohesive whole, reviving forgotten artists and creating a joyful, floor-filling experience sure to capture the ears of music lovers everywhere.

Review: Theo Parrish is a world-renowned name in the global Detroit house and techno game, and he's thrown a fascinating curveball as the latest entrant for the acclaimed DJ-Kicks series. Mr. Parrish has gone above and beyond the duties of most invitees - rather than just licensing tracks from his favourite artists and big-name-friends, he's asked his own community from Detroit to each produce their own mixable tracks, exclusively for the comp. What's more, these are hardly established names - they're organic connections to Parrish, not occupying the top layer of attention and recognition. Bits from H-Fusion, Jon Dixon, Donald Lee Roland II, Ian Fink and Raybone Jones all dominate this anarchic new deconstruction of the otherwise exclusivist mix series.

Review: Photay aka. Evan Shornstein makes a determined return with Windswept, his latest LP for Mexican Summer. Building on but also somewhat departing from a built repertoire of post-IDM come funky sonics, this latest outing moves in a slightly more new age direction, riffing on the many possible worlds implied by the episteme of "Balearic". On an album nominally about the wind, and with an express aim to "mimic the wind", Photay makes deft use here of everything from wind chimes to blustery transigent noise, working them all between chunks of girded downtempo and confident chugs. Still as percussive and tricksy as ever, Shornstein echoes the likes of Letherette and Throwing Snow, meeting both hot and cold fronts of thermostatic dance.

Review: Cult Vancouver duo Potatohead People, which is of course made up of Nick Wisdom and AstroLogical, finally make their return to Bastard Jazz with their much anticipated fourth album, Eat Your Heart Out. It is another great icing that builds on their renowned clean and musical production and finds the pair once again showing off their skills as vocalists, songwriters, and musicians. Over the last decade, they've been revered for their production sensibilities and that doesn't change as with each track they coop up intricate beats with jazzy melodies, summery vibes and plenty of hooky motifs that come with great guest spots from the likes of Shafiq Husayn & Ivan Ave, Kapok and many more.

Review: Potatohead People's latest album, Eat Your Heart Out, marks a significant evolution for the Vancouver-based duo, Nick Wisdom and AstroLogical. Moving beyond their renowned production prowess, they step into the spotlight as vocalists, songwriters, and musicians, showcasing their versatility and talent. Thematically centered on love in its various forms and complexities, the album explores the multifaceted nature of this universal emotion. Each track delves into different aspects of love, from infatuation to heartache, featuring a diverse array of guest artists who enhance the album's sonic palette. From the classic hip-hop vibes of 'Last Nite' featuring Redman to the sultry digital funk of 'Paradise' with Diamond Cafe, the album traverses various genres with finesse. Notable collaborations with Shafiq Husayn, Ivan Ave, Abstract Rude, T3 and others further elevate the album's appeal.With its captivating melodies, infectious hooks, and stellar guest appearances, the album solidifies Potatohead People's position as a premier production duo in contemporary music.