Funky / Club House

Review: ave Lee has collaborated, produced or remixed many vintage soul, jazz-funk and disco artists over the years, though 'Power of the Mind' marks the first time he's worked with Billy Valentine, lead vocalist from legendary soul/jazz-funk duo the Valentine Brothers. The opening 'Redemption Mix' is particularly potent, with Valentine singing his own anti fake news lyrics over a jaunty disco-house groove rich in boogie bass, piano stabs and mazy, life-affirming piano solos. It comes accompanied by a suitably cosmic, synth-laden 'Mind Meld Dub' rework, as well as a fresh string-laden, late '70s style disco track from Lee under his lesser-known AC Soul Symphony pseudonym ('Manhattan Skyline'). It's 11 minutes of pure disco pleasure and almost as essential as 'Power of the Mind'.

Review: The latest must-check missive from deep house reissue specialists Groovin' takes us back to 2007 and one of the most infectious, insatiable cuts in Osunlade's sprawling back catalogue. First featured on his Strictly Rhythm-released album "Elements Beyond", "Momma's Groove" features Osunlade adding his own evocative spoken word vocals to a low-down deep house groover crafted from disco-funk style bass, flanged guitar licks, jazzy sax solos and typically tribal drums. Over on side B there's a chance to Jimpster's "Hip Replacement Mix", which transforms Osunlade's killer cut into a rolling slab of immersive deep house haziness perfectly suited to heads-down peak-time plays.