Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: This unique 7" features two different artists - Raye Cole and Rachel Maxann - doing their own renditions of the same song, in this instance, 'Find Myself Another Man'. These versions bring a modern twist to a rhythm and blues banger that will transport you back to the good old days, Raye's version adding a bit more of a hop to it while Rachel's version has a garage band and surf rock tinge to it. Both are late night blues without a doubt though andit'sanother case of hats off to Original Gravity records for always keeping things fresh with their ever-changing moods.

Review: Naya Beat's modus operandi is to champion the OG sounds of the South Asian underground through the lenticular funnel of dance music. Their latest in this effort is a breakout wonder in V/A form, herding together three contemporary club titans for a jolly trans-national dialogue over the original stylings of an inimitable key player in proliferation of Bhangra music, Manjeet Kondal. The late great Kondal hears one original piece, 'Pyaar', reissued, alongside two exclusive versions of 'Ishkaan De Mamle' by digger extraordinaire Mr. Scruff, followed by a closing, straight-from-the-stems downtempo acid dub tribute by modern day remixers and DJs Turbotito & Ragz. This is an honorific tribute to the crossection of late 80s to early 90s Bhangra music with acid house, carefully modelled after the aesthetic sensibilities of the time.

Review: More gold from the always in the know and on point 5 Boroughs label. Again here it digs into the vast annals of hip-hop history to come up with some still relevant gems in the form of Rakim and DJ Premier's staple 'It's Been a Long Time.' It is a classic boom-bap joint with lush strings and horns, some old-school scratching and cool bars. As walls, the label serves it up alongside the original sample source on the flip which is Cecil Holmes's languid soul slow burner 'Call Me, Come Back Home'. These plays shift in quick time so do not snooze if you want a slice.

Review: Athens Of The North represent one of Australia's finest soul exponents Renee Geyer. "Be There In The Morning" comes in two forms... The 1977 version will be recognised from her most successful album of the time Moving Along. An upbeat fusion of soul and funk with mild disco nuances, it comes with confident orchestration and an instantly infectious, ultimately emphatic chorus. The real coup here, however, is the softer, dreamier earlier version that's so rare it never left the confines of her native country. It's digging like this that makes the young-but-hugely-potential rare music label Athens Of The North a very exciting prospect for record collectors.

Review: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth are a big part of the history in hip-hop during the early 90s. Hailing from Mount Vernon, New York they released two classic albums and a handful of singles to great success. A regular selection on the very influential MTV Yo-Raps show they quickly gained notoriety for Pete Rock's use of obscure soul and jazz records. Here we have the reissue of the 2017 release that brings their most popular track to the masses once again. 'They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)' blew them up big and was their highest charting record. This 7" features the Altered Tapes remix along with the instrumental on the second side. You would be hard pressed to find another track that is the epitome of the New York hip-hop sound in 1992 then this mega-hit.

Review: Last year, the Expansions label kicked off a wonderfully intriguing 10" series featuring classics from soul music's rich canon complemented by contemporary cover versions and so far it's seen Blue Note troupe Quasimode tee off against Johnny Hammond and Bembe Segue challenge Norman Connors. A third edition duly arrives and hints Expansions are really enjoying the creative challenge the concept allows them with the jazz funk classic "Zaius" from Eddie Russ joined by a cover from the celebrated UK funk veterans Incognito. Originally appearing on the 1976 LP See The Light, "Zaius" is a blinding example of why Russ is described a master of the keyboard and it's complemented well by Incognito's B Side cover which appears on vinyl for the first time. Don't sleep!

Review: Not long after a lovely 7" from Ryusenkei in the form of 'Spring Rain', CMT is back with more beguiling and beautiful sounds from the Japanese artists. As always she mixes up elements of jazz funk, city pop, disco and more next to swooning instrumentals while her delicate voice soars. 'Timemachine Love' has a nice upbeat disco feel and rolling bass that never lets up on on the flip of this special sealer vinyl is 'Rainy Cinderella (radio edit) which is a more slow and sentimental soul sound that has poised bass and melancholic horns.

Review: CMT hits its tenth release and serves up a super sweet 7" featuring a fascinating fusion of sounds from Ryusenkei. The A-side here, 'Spring Rain' is a mix of jazz funk, city pop, disco and plenty more, with lush instrumentals and her own delicate vocals sung in Japanese, though she appears to sing the title in English. On the flip is 'Tokyo Sniper' which is a more slow and sentiment soul sound with neat keys and riffs, lush arps and plenty of rich pianos that frame the vocals - which pair off Ryusenkei with a male response - perfectly.

Review: Rediscover the hidden treasure of 1970s Harlem soul and funk with the Ray Alexander Technique, now officially reissued for the first time. Let's Talk offers bonus tracks and previously unreleased alternate mixes that all add up to a collection of unabashedly sincere songs with a nice authentic and lo-fi aesthetic. It captures the essence of the era's black pride and cultural awareness, alongside the poignant emotion of pursuing dreams amidst urban decline. With its soulful melodies and raw authenticity, this album resonates with the vibrant spirit of Harlem, transporting you immediately to a time of resilience and creativity against the backdrop of a changing neighbourhood.

Review: The Madlib Invazion Music Library Series clocks up its eighth entry here and the honour is given to drummer Karriem Riggins who offers up To The Jungle. He is someone who can play the sticks with real conviction and shows that here across another superb album in this series. It really makes use of the chance given to him to stretch himself and create the sort of music he might not dare to otherwise. It has all been created with a view to be ing given one-stop clearance for use in mim and TV and plenty of this one surely will because it is so evocative.

Review: In the midst of disco's golden era, The Ritchie Family released their vibrant second album, 'Arabian Nights' a captivating fusion of disco and Broadway showmanship. The track, 'The Best Disco in Town', exudes an infectious energy, featuring elements of funk and disco that ignite the dance floor. Another standout track, 'Baby I'm on Fire', embodies the excess and drama of the disco scene. Its sultry lyrics and pulsating beats evoke a theatrical ambiance. The album's mesmerising anthem, 'Istanbul' combines disco rhythms with dramatic crescendos, creating an unforgettable musical experience. With its diverse range of tracks, from energetic to sensual, Arabian Nights captures the spirit of the disco era.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Missing obi-strip***


This triple pack box set from Craft Recordings takes a look at legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins and his run for Lester Koenig's revered Los Angeles label Go West. As well as presenting seminal albums Way Out West and Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders in full, this collection also presents six additional alternative takes from both album sessions, allowing listeners to hear the development of such iconic recordings as 'Come, Gone'. With additional liner notes from noted music historian Ashley Kahn and an interview with Rollins from 2021, this is an authoritative look at a true legend in the legacy of jazz.

Review: Chicago funk band Royal Flush release sonly one full length on their local Texas label Lucky and that was Hot Spot. They did so in 1980 before later reissuing it via GEC and although it isn't one of the most well known albums amongst funk heads, we think that is rather a crime because it is a top notch if not underrated album. It is couched in the traditions of the genre but with nods to styles like P-Funk. If you can find an OG copy you will have to shell out plenty of money and although this same label put out a CD version in 1994, it has not been reissued on vinyl before.

Review: Patrice Rushen's Remind Me: The Classic Elektra Recordings 1978-1984 celebrates the unmatched talent of a jazz and r&b legend whose influence extends far beyond her chart success. Rushen's songs, including hits like 'Forget Me Nots' and 'Haven't You Heard,' have left an indelible mark on popular music, with countless artists sampling her work. Despite facing criticism and lackluster label support, Rushen's crossover into sophisticated urban pop paved the way for future R&B and hip-hop hits. This compilation shows Rushen's talents as a musician and arranger, with her production providing the building blocks for decades of musical innovation. Tracks like 'Givin' It Up Is Givin' Up' and 'Remind Me' highlight Rushen's electrifying performances and innovative sound. Rushen's timeless music remains as relevant and influential as ever, cementing her status as a true icon of musical innovation and creativity.