Review: Here's a killer reissue from the Soul Jazz archives which is finally getting a repress. It's hardly surprising when the reissue becomes as sought after as the holy grail original jam from 1970, a sublime instrumental anthem of soulful, skanking perfection with Cedric Im Brooks flexing his sax in glorious style over a beautifully rough n' ready rhythm. It was shortly after this recording was laid down Brooks went on to form The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari with Count Ossie, which tells you all you need to know about the heritage we're dealing with here.
Review: The Brazil 45 series from Mr Bongo bursts through the picture with yet another rocking 7" fire starter by two vintage pop greats - we have to say, their format simply works. First up is Elis Regina, a Brazilian singer who released a countless pop records back in the '60s, and "Ye Me Le" is a soft, seductive Brazilian soul warmer complete with blasting trumpets and that inimitable South American percussion swagger. Turkey's Senay features on the flip with "En Buyuk Sansin Yasiyor Olman", an incandescent lover's ballad that makes a welcome change to the more widely heard Turkish psych sound of the '70s.
Review: Mr Bongo's gold-standard Brazil-45 series turns up more irresistible musical goodness here with steamy underground bubbler 'Quero Ver Voce Sambar'. This is thought to be the only ever recording by Homero Franca and it came originally on a 7" in 1976. It's warm, soulful, quite deep for Latin music and has great vocals. On the flipside is the more fiery Silvinha tune 'Mas Nao Deixe De Ir' with the raw vocals and big horns all making for a great call and response chorus with soulful samba sounds to spare.
Seun Kuti & Sampa The Great - "Emi Aluta" (Zamrock remix) (3:31)
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 - "Emi Aluta" (feat Sampa The Great - 45 edit) (3:55)
Review: Afrobeat virtuoso Seun Kuti is soon to release his highly anticipated album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) later this year. It features guest appearances from Damian Marley and Sampa The Great so promises to be a global sensation. Ahead of that, we get a taste of things to come from his distinctive Afrobeat sound with this powerful new work on Milan's Record Kicks. First up here with get the bubbly rhythms of 'Emi Aluta' (Zamrock remix) then 'Emi Aluta' (feat Sampa The Great - 45 edit) comes complete with some hard bars.
Review: Sangre Joven was originally a side project that was set up to release covers of international disco and funk hits for Discos MAG. The collective was started in Peru in 1974 by sax player Nilo Espinosa who also assembled the Nil's Jazz Ensemble after spending years playing in a jazz quintet in Berlin. 'Zamba Zamba' is a tsingle from 1974 that is a true-to-the-original cover of 'Samba Samba' by Colombian brothers Elkin & Nelson. It brings plenty of exotic sounds with uptempo Latin vibes, elements of descarga and boogaloo and more all served up with a funky rock twist.
Review: Mongo Santamaria's 'Green Onions' here (a cover of the iconic Booker T standard) is a classic cut that showcases the legendary Cuban percussionist's mastery on the drums. First released in 1969 alongside the nighttime swayer 'In The Midnight Hour' , the single hears a funking reissue here that once more shines a blinding light on Santamaria's deft ability to blend originally American compositions with Latin rhythms and soul-jazz structures.
Review: Dynamite Cuts brings the heat once more with a second volume of their Sound Music 45s series. Siegfried Schwab takes care of the A-side with 'Getting High', a scorching funk workout with hard-worked guitar chords and precise percussion over lots of wah-wah effects. 'Feel It; flip the script with a superbly stripped-down jazz-funk lounge sound. Klaus Weiss then steps up on 'Time For Rhythm' with some loose, percussive funk beats that are raw and organic, then Peter Thomas closes down with 'Documentation', a more richly instrumental and multi-layered jazz-funk sound that conveys real grandeur.
Review: Wow, classics don't come much more special than this. A like-for-like repress of the 1970 RCA release, both sides here are soaked in Scott Heron's raw troubled soul. The endlessly sampled, hugely powerful and perfectly funky "Revolution" remains almost as poignant and prophetic as it was the day it was penned. "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" is much more personal and reveals his talent as a singer as much as the lead track boasts his poetry and ability to deliver a strong message.
Review: Gil Scott-Heron's 'Pieces Of A Man' was the first LP recorded by the poet and musician, made and released in 1971. Owing to the album's importance, BGP have released two of its most standout tracks, the title track and 'Think I'll Call It Morning', on a limited 7" that will doubtess prove exceptionallyy handy for DJs who need to get straight down to business.
Review: Back in the 60s and 70s, library music exploded as a genre. It saw plenty of talented musicians make extra cash by laying down endless instrumental grooves for use in TV, film and radio. The King Underground label is now digging into the vast vaults for a new series of releases of some of the finest sounds from the era. The first 45 features tracks considered to be 'dramatic' from John Scott and Tony Kinsey. Scott's 'Milky Way' opens up with cosmic chords and sweeping strings that take you to the stars while 'Star Voyage' has a more busy lead. Kinsey's 'Kaleidoscope' builds the tension with multiple movements from several instruments.
Review: The Shake & Bake Band's Shake & Bake is an undeniable invitation to hit the dancefloor. Side-1 kicks off with 'Shake & Bake (part 1),' where the band lays down a groove that's nothing short of exhilarating. The track stands out for its originality, offering a vibe that feels almost hedonisticiperfect for those looking to experience something fresh and exciting. On Side-2, 'Shake & Bake (part 2)' strips things down, bringing in a hoedown-like twist with the addition of a harmonica. The drumming intensifies, building excitement as the funkiness truly shines through in this version. Overall, Shake & Bake delivers two distinctive takes on a groove that will keep the energy high and the dancefloor moving.
Review: This record comes at a sad time, as Marlena Shaw passed away in January 2024, the New York born soul singer with her unmistakable voice leaving a long list of amazing credits and performances when she departed. This magnificent double 7" focuses on her early years in the late 1960s, work she did on the highly influential Cadet label just before she moved to Blue Note. 'California Soul', 'Liberation Conversation', 'Let's Wade In The Water' and 'Woman Of The Ghetto' are all soul classics by the late songbird, and all gathered togethere here into one unmissable EP.
Review: This marks a first 7" from bassist and composer Shay Hazan playing alongside his quintet in their native Tel Aviv, Israel. The a-side is a dedication to a giant of the Israeli jazz scene and a sometime mentor of Hazan, saxophonist Albert Beger, with uptempo chord work and swirling drums that make you want to spin around like you just don't care. After that bit of joyous but sophisticated jazz comes 'Old Tart', a more slow burning tune that builds through big horns, spare but dramatic chords and tumbling percussion until you are in raptures. This is likely the start of big things for this crew.
Review: Most experts agree that Archie Shepp's 1972 album "Attica Blues" is one of the finest soul-jazz LPs ever made - a politically-charged affair that just gets better with every listen. This tidy seven-inch single from Mr Bongo offers up two of the album's standout moments. On the A-side you'll find the title track, a swirling, down-low mixture of belted-out female chorus vocals, surging orchestration, Blaxploitation style bottom end and an impassioned lead vocal from Henry Hull. Flipside cut "Quiet Dawn" sees Waheeda Massey take lead vocals over a more obviously jazz-centric backing track rich in wild sax solos from the effervescent Shepp. Like the A-side, it's simply essential.
Review: A dynamic duo of Brazilian classics on 7" from Wilson Simonal and Trio Mocoto. On Side-1. you have the infectious samba-MPB hit 'Nem Vem Que Nao Tem' by Wilson Simonal, a standout from his 1967 Alegria, Alegria !!! album. This track gained renewed fame in 2002 when it was featured in the critically acclaimed film City of God, exciting new audiences with its lively rhythms. On the flip side, Trio Mocoto delivers the orchestral-infused gem 'Nao Adianta,' first appearing on their self-titled 1977 Arlequim LP. Known for their collaboration with Jorge Ben on seminal albums like 'Forca Bruta,' this group was instrumental in developing the samba rock sound, blending samba, soul, and rock with an unmistakable sun-kissed flavor. This release is a vibrant celebration of Brazil's rich musical heritage, capturing the essence of two legendary acts in one compelling package.
Review: A short name hides a long story - Detroit-born Chad Hughs graduated from the same high school as Diana Ross, going onto become a multi-talented musician as well as a teacher and composer. The fourth release from cd exclusive vinyl pressers Jai Alai, collectors can now own this unique 7" containing two completely different sides of Sir Wick from his two albums. A side's title track 'Seal My Heart' contains the vocal talents of Sedalia Marie, with layered vocals and a baseline that makes this pure soul song feel deeply cinematic. The B side has been decades in the making, selected from a fully orchestrated musical in the works since 1996, finally being recorded and completed in 2017. These two tracks are deeply sentimental ditties of doting young love, and now two rare soul ballads from a musical luminary are available for the first time on a 45. What better soundtrack to date night than these?
Review: Amongst fans of Brazilian music, Sivuca is arguably best known for his 1973 cover of "Ain't No Sunshine" - later a favourite on the rare groove scene - which re-casts the Bill Withers classic as a sumptuous chunk of shuffling samba sunshine. Here, the track gets reissued as part of Mr Bongo's brilliant Brazil 45s series, alongside his lesser-known - but no less impressive - cover of Edu Lobo's "Ponteio".
Review: A 7" reissue of the 1968 funk/soul-jazz single by Jimmy Smith, one of the most influential jazz keyboardists and organists of all time. Coming about at a comically Afrofuturistic career highpoint, 'Stay Loose' is an immediately arresting jazz funk cut, documenting Smith's insistence that the listener stay loose, open-minded, soft of heart. Of course, without such an attitude, the spirit of funk simply cannot be inherited.
Review: The 12th release on Mr. Bongo's signature 45s series saw a reissue of two foundational releases in Brazil's modern popular music category; now the record hears a second round, fresh again off the master metal lacquer. On the A, we hear Brazilian samba luminary Elza Soares covering Jorge Ben's classic 'Mas Que Nada' - albeit with a hoarser vocal tone, such was Soares' signature voice, one which only led to a whopping 34-album career. B-sider Elizabeth, by contrast, upholds a mystery; the artist was nicknamed "Gatinha do Mato" ("jungle cat"), and recorded 'Vou Falar-Lhe Francamente' at some indeterminate point in 1960s Sao Paolo, when and where Brazilian local styles blended with funk and rock.
Review: Formed in 2017, the Sokratis Votskos Quartet is fast becoming one of the leading lights in Greek jazz. Later in the year they'll be releasing a brand new album on Jazzman, from which this tasty double A-side is taken. "Almopian Etude" is a veritable humid summer breeze of a track: a loose and languid fusion of spiritual piano motifs, languid double bass, bustling drums and alternately snaking and intoxicating horn solos. B-side "Sevenates" is an altogether funkier proposition, with cyclical saxophone motifs increasing in intensity over a jumpy, piano-driven rhythm track. It's not exactly jazz-funk, but it's certainly travelling in that direction. Either way, it's ace.
Review: The latest limited-edition salvo on Jazzman's contemporary jazz offshoot Jazz45 comes courtesy of Soren Skov Orbit, a Copenhagen-based outfit formed by saxophonist Soren Lyhne Skov and pianist Peder Vind. The two tracks stick closely to the project's founding principles of fusing global musical traditions with modal jazz. A-side "Orbit Bound", where hissing cymbals, hypnotizing piano motifs, plodding double bass and ear-catching saxophone solos cluster around a droning bass clarinet, is probably the pick of the pair, though the more straight-up, trad-jazz warmth of "NV" is also very enjoyable. As debut outings go, it's hugely impressive; here's hoping we hear more from Skov and Vind in the months and years ahead.
Review: Spasibo welcomes Russian outfit the Soul Surfers who word on the street says have a studio full of vintage, Soviet-era gear. Using library music as their source, they bring their own psychedelic twist with deeply funky grooves and have done now for over a decade. Here they kick off with a seven-plus minute medley of 16 tracks that mix up soul from all eras with wah-wah sounds and real emotion. They repeat the same trick on the flipped with 17 tracks all featuring in a journey through space and funk that leaves you in awe.
Review: The Soul Surfers share their debut 7" on Broc Recordz, following a promising entree working with various raw funk and soul greats, including with Jack Nilovic on his 'Maze of Sounds' compilation, not to mention appearing on the first volume of the recent Two Tales For The Mind V/A. 'High Roller' and its counterpart 'Big Slick' are two large, roomy, instrumental sonic gateau slices, on which an outsized four-string occupies the front and centre of both mixes, to megalomaniac, almost gluttonous effect. All else follows naturally; plucks, snares and FX licks resound, as we're left to contemplate the ingenious front cover by Italian artist Riccardo Bettazzoni.
Review: Ottawa's Afro-jazz-funk collective returns with a limited 7" showcasing two dynamic tracks that highlight their genre-blending prowess. Originally released in 2014 on Inner Fire, 'One Life To Live' kicks off Side-1 with an exhilarating fusion of funk, Latin and Afro rhythms. The track's lively horn arrangements and tight percussion create an infectious groove, balancing intricate musicianship with danceable energy. On Side-2, 'Kingdome Come' dives deeper into jazz territory, merging Afro-Cuban jazz with jazz-funk and Latin jazz elements. The result is a richly textured piece that moves fluidly between laid-back grooves and vibrant, rhythmic bursts. The percussion is sharp, and the brass shines with both restraint and exuberance, highlighting the band's ability to navigate complex arrangements while maintaining a relaxed, natural flow.
Review: German sextet "SOUND" recorded a standout set in Frankfurt in 1978, immortalised on the LP "Jazzlife" at Night (Vol.1). Singled out was their composition 'Sound Spirit,' a dancey, post-bop jazz track where Volker Burkhardt's tenorsax soulfully wails in a Coltrane fashion over Werner Bauer' syncopated keys and Heli Kneipp's and Athur Greaves' driving percussion and drumming, intertwined with Jann Meyer's funky bass. All culminate in this super groovy contrapuntal track that often takes you nicely by surprise. Now this seminal piece arrives in a limited edition 7" of 300 on Tramp Records, the small but significant home of some of Germany's best reissued funk, soul and jazz on vinyl. Nat Adderly's 'Sweet Emma' was one of "SOUND's" other distinctive tracks that night, and it too resurfaces on the B side. This upbeat version may teeter on a 'trad' jazz precipice, but as the saxophone takes the cornet parts of the original, its tonality draws the listener in. These tracks already command attention from the discerning contemporary jazz community, and now again available is a must for those who like both upbeat or downtempo late 70s jazz.
Review: Dan 'The Drum' Spalding, known for his house and rave DJ sets, teams up with dance music producer Ronnie Turner and DJ/vocalist Emma Noble to reinvent Coffee's 1980 disco take on 'Casanova'. Originally sung by Ruby Andrews in 1967 and penned by Jo Armstead, the trio's version channels a retro, jazzy vibe that could easily pass for a lost Blue Note gem from the '60s. Their fresh spin breathes new life into both versions, delivering a timeless, love-infused track that's sure to keep dancefloors moving. It's cleariCasanova isn't done yet.
Review: Record Shack unearth two tunes from the vaults of Austrian public broadcasting institution ORF, available for the very first time on officially released 7" record. Pressed using only the strictest high-grade equipment, the flame of soul soprano Stefanie Vhynak's 'Feelin' It' is rekindled with a rejuvenative flair: the Viennese singer cut her teeth in the USA before her return to her birthplace, where she was discovered and subsequently enjoyed a longstanding career. Though her stint with the Austrian Broadcasting Company was short-lived, it could still be argued that Stefanie's rep of contributions to the broadcaster lie among her best. The exigency of radio is paramount to good songcraft, which is why there are two versions of 'Feelin' It' here; the first of which lays down the centrality of the song's lyrics via pared-backbeat and muted funk, and the latter pulling the pull ring on the sonic grenade, allowing a full-throttle vocal and instrumental amour to explode.
Review: This 7" is a reissue of one that first dropped back in July and soon sold out but with two extra cuts. It offered a rare chance to discover hidden gems from the Austrian Public Broadcasting Institution (ORF) vaults which were all vinyl debuts in summer. This gatefold double 7" kicks off with Stefanie & ORF Big Band's 'Compared to What,' a hard-hitting funk track featuring lo-fi vibes and powerful horns. The A-2 offers a subtly tweaked version, maintaining the same high energy. 'Feelin' It' then comes on the flipside with big brass leads, deep-cut drums and a stirring, emotive female vocal lead. A second alternative is also featured.
Review: Dynamite cuts are in the midst of releasing a fresh series of De Wolfe library grooves, owing to the esteemed Dutch library's impressive catalogue of obscurios which nonetheless still provide ample source material for DJs, samplers, and obsessives. These two grooves are lifted from the original, said-to-be-mega-rare Formula album by Barry Stoller, from 1972. 'Long Weekend' and 'Design' are equally tooly movers, not just rhythmic weapons, but also gateway drugs to Stoller's extensive back catalogue of distilled, two-minute-long ideas.
Review: R. Ackley is the man behind this particular Status project - there are many others in various genres - and he is credited with just one release - 1977's Girl, which has become a cult classic in the world of funk and soul. It was written alongside C. Barton and is a glorious bit of lavish and immersive soul with a tricky rhythm section firing out minimal but punch rhythms under the AOR-style vocals. It's cosmic and Beatrice and perfect for so many settings. On the flip is 'Wild Woman' written with S. Bourne and it is another heater well worth having, especially as an original of this will cost you well over 300 quid.
Review: Frank Strazzeri was a versatile musician who played piano, Moog synthesizer and ARP Solina string synthesizer on these tunes with help from Sam Most on tenor saxophone and flute and other input from Bobby Shew, Harvey Newmark and his brother Steve Strazzeri on drums. All four sides fo this double 7" are airy and jazzy, full of spring time vibes and gently persuasive grooves. This is the first time since first release on Catalyst Records in 1976 that they have been reissued.
Review: A veritable wave-making machine in the infinity pool of British nu-jazz, producer Tom Funk rocks up with another 12" instalment in his The Sultan's Swing Project, linking with Colin Curtis Presents for a five-track EP to complement the three LPs reeled off the top so far. The usual grift of jazz, jazz-funk and acid jazz instrumentation - plus trip-hop, downtempo, dub, Balearica, and Latinesque beats - are heard in full swing here, with an extra linseed oiling for the dancefloor. Rapid club-bound bossa nova sets the scene on 'Thinking Of You', while 'Copenhagen Connection' suggests a potential sonic espionage link between London and Denmark, as a moment of Baltic dark jazz marks the only point of downtime on the record. A closing 'As I Walk On By', replete with guest singer, redrapes the Dionne Warwick hookline in looser jazz culottes.
Review: Those who keep a keen eye on the contemporary British nu-jazz scene should already have encountered producer Tom Funk's The Sultan's Swing project. He's already released a trio of fine albums under the alias, each of which combines authentic jazz, jazz-funk and acid jazz instrumentation (provided courtesy of a rotating cast of guest musicians) with nods to trip-hop, downtempo, dub, Balearica and Latin beats. The Sultan's Swing Sessions, Funk's contribution to the Colin Curtis Presents series, takes a similar approach, with predictably excellent results. Our picks of a very strong bunch are the gently spaced-out dancefloor Latin jazz of 'Lotta Arlotto', the summery jazz-fusion of 'Hitchfunkers Slide To The Galaxy' and impeccable opener 'The New Beginning'.
Review: Sunaga T Experience is a solo project of the world-renowned famous Japanese DJ and producer Tatsuo Sunaga. He has dropped a wide array of sounds in single and album form including a great cover of Joni Mitchell's Blue album. His latest 7" marks the 100th release on Disc Minor and is named in honour of that. 'STE 100' is a lush, tender dinner jazz sound with muted horns and warm reeds over a meandering bassline. 'The Way Of The Dragon' is as lively a tune as you might expect given it is named after a martial arts movie. It has busy drums and jagged horn leads with plenty of percussive energy all carrying you away.
Review: Coming quickly of the release of the single in March, newcomer jazz-funk band Surprise Chef's 'Velodrome' get a limited 7" acetate release by their label Big Crown. Backsided on the B with the track 'Springs Theme', this is a laid back, easygoing instrumental piece, with a heavy drum break and an earworm synth line guaranteed to have you humming it long after the song is over.
Review: Tiki Tumbao keeps up the early pressure of their first few releases with a fine debut from The Swizzlas. This raw mix of soul and funk speaks of the group's deep roots in Southern Florida and New Orleans. It brings upright bass, crunchy drums and myriad funky riffs that never stop percolating and keep you on your toes. That's the exquisite A-side while on the flip you get the short but sweet 'Dippin Deux' which is a rolling instrumental with organ chords and neat riffs.
Review: Rich gutsy soul from a man who's regularly described as Brazil's James Brown, "O Journalerio" is a blueprint funk jam. Released in 1971 (on his hyper-rare album BR-3) it's all about the orchestrated swing, bluesy groove and Hammond licks so lavish you need to towel on every listen. Flip for Som Tres... An off-shoot of the Sambalanco Trio, it's the sound of Cesar Camargo Mariano controlling a restrained rolling slice of filmic instrumental funk where horns, keys and drums gather momentum with big band drama. Neither have been released on 45" before, making this all the more special.
Review: Born on the French Island of Martinique, Louis Xavier later settled in France where he discovered the freedom of jazz, and an idea to mix his influences into a global melting pot of sound. He formed his band (Synchro Rhythmic Eclectic Language) in Paris in the early '70s, making music that was both spiritual and eclectic for its time. Both tracks are jazz in essence but with instrumental funky rhythms infused with intricate percussion and electric keys.
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