Today Only: Funk Soul & Jazz sale vinyl

Review: King Underground have started a cute series of 7" releases that looks back to the golden era fo library music. The genre was born as a result of TV, film and radio programs needing music to add drama, atmosphere and mood without the expensive licensing costs of using existing tracks. A wealth of musicians thus recorded endless instrumental tracks of all shapes and sizes and now we're treated to some of the best of them. Sam Fonteyn's 'One Way Trip' comes as warm and cool versions with the first bring a low slung bit of vibes-laced funk and the second a more mysterious piece lead by a flute.

Review: Alhaji Waziri Oshomah is a master of Afro sounds and rhythms that cut deep. He is from the Edo State in southern Nigeria and always as making music and often holds local sermons. His music was highlighted by David Bryne's always-excellent Luaka Bop label in September with World Spirituality Classics 3: The Muslim Highlife Of Alhaji Waziri Oshomah and now comes another bumper collection of his tunes. As the title suggests, Vol 1-5: 1978-1984 pulls together his best work from that six-year period across five 12"s and a special booklet.

Review: 'Everytime' is the first single off the new album by Lisa Decker and Nautilus. It came about after the label head wondered how Lisa's songs would sound if Japanese jazz trio Nautilus arranged some of them. They have, and here are the results, a very personal new single off a great new album. 'Everytime' is tieless funk with a super sweet and innocent vocal over crisp drums. On the flip is a remix that takes it in new directions with Pat Van Dyke, a longtime known producer and multi-instrumentalist from New Jersey, at the helm. He brings good time horn led sounds with a guest appearance by Brooklyn based lyricist John Robinson.

Review: There's not a huge amount we can say with certainty about O$VMV$M. The act is based in Bristol, UK, and certainly reinforce preconceptions of the city as a hotbed for leftfield stuff. Whether that's politics, art, or, in this case, music. Or perhaps all three. Beach Road is as much an exercise in sound-as-art as it is music per se, and as such is a strong statement about the lack of vision and imagination stalking streaming services and record shops alike in 2023.

None of which is to say that O$VMV$M's six-track EP isn't packed with incredible music. 'Diablo', one of the wildest, strangest efforts here, is disjointed mutant pop-electronica that seems like someone is warming up for an MPC showcase, and exemplifies our point. It's pleasurable to hear, but fascinating to take apart. Similar points can be made about the sparse, glitchy percussion of 'Beach Road' and 'Follow', making this one for the deep dive enthusiasts.