Feb 2018 Chart

Review: 40 years has passed since the release of the Mighty Ryeders' one and only album, Help Us Spread The Message. To celebrate this fact, Dynamite Cuts has decided to release four of the album's most sort-after cuts on one 7" double-pack. Fittingly, it begins with the band's best-known track, the peerless "Evil Vibrations" (as famously sampled by De La Soul) before moving onto the bouncy Blaxploitation soul of "The Mighty Ryeders". The band's ability to musically shape-shift is explored further on the second seven-inch, where the glassy-eyed jazz-funk/soul fusion of "Lovely" is backed by the disco-era conscious funk brilliance of "Everybody Groove (No Woman Interruption).

Review: Jazz soul gold taken from the legendary Jimmy Smith's 1974 album Black Smith, Ultra Vybe reissue two of its finest cuts. "I'm Gonna Love You A Little More Babe" takes Barry White's 1973 baby maker to vibrant upbeat pastures with powerful swooning female harmonies. "Why Can't We Live Together" takes Timmy Thomas's 1972 ballad to equally smooth and arresting places. Released together for the first time on 45" with full remaster stripes, this is a perfect entry point into one of Smith's many treasure trove LPs.

Review: Powerful belters from soul supernova Baby Huey. The only solo 45s he cut for Curtom Records before he passed away aged only 26, this was released posthumously and OG copies regularly go for over 200 pounds. Now reissued on Soul Brother, the two sides give you the full fat Huey; "Hard Times" hits with a raw Lee Fields style gravelly, story-telling delivery while "Listen To Me" shows Huey's deft ability to band-lead an all-out rock jam. Raw and emotional, Huey left this world far too soon.

Review: For this 7" single, label boss Nik Weston took a deep dive into the vast back catalogue of Discos Fuentes, Columbia's oldest record label (it was founded in 1934, fact fans). On the A-side you'll find "A La Memoria Del Muerto" by long serving salsa outfit Fruko Y Suis Tesos, a typically jaunty, dusty and celebratory workout that was originally released on a now hard-to-find 7" single sometime in the early 1970s. Over on the B-side, Weston takes us on a trip to the early days of Cumbia via El Combo Los Galleros's brilliant 1963 album cut "Soledad", which still sounds heavy, punchy and intoxicating 44 years after it was recorded, and has been a staple in the bags of top selectors such as Hunee, Red Greg, Kai Alce, Dom Servini & Craig Charles from BBC 6!

Review: Here's something to set the pulse racing: a collaborative debut album (on Sound Signature, no less) from London broken beat veterans Dego and Kaidi Tatham. As with their previous joint releases on 2000 Black, Rush Hour, Eglo and, of course, Sound Signature, it's the duo's love of rich, jazz-fuelled musicality, sun-kissed melodies and loose, languid rhythms that shines through. There are naturally nods towards disco, boogie, jazz-funk, Afrobeat, hip-hop and classic "bruk", with a stellar cast list of guest musicians and vocalists swinging by to lend a hand. If Herbie Hancock decamped to Ladbroke Grove and made an album with Bugz In The Attic, it would probably sound like this. In our book, that's a very good thing indeed.

Review: Funkshone are Mike Bandoni (former Acid Jazz/Ninebar Records musician and producer) and some of the UK's finest session musicians. This debut single 'Purification' Parts 1 and 2 sees Mike playing every instrument, bar the brass, which was laid down courtesy of Andy Ross and Ralph Lamb (Easy Access Orchestra/Roots Manuva), and gives this tune its anthem-like feel. Don't be surprised if you find yourself humming or whistling the main horn-line after a couple of spins - it's infectious! One of the most noted aspects about this record is the sound. Authenticity is dear to the heart of Funkshone, and this is evident when the needle drops on this heavy-weight funk dance-floor smash, as the listener is taken back to the 1960s. Another attractive feature for many a battle/scratch DJ are the breaks. Both sides of this 45 are riddled with clear, crisp and downright enormous drum breaks that will leave any Purdie, Idris or Clyde Stubblefield fans more than satisfied.

Review: Destination Paris, 1980: Gabonese singer Jean Ondeno is in the eye of the French capital's afro-disco storm. Championed by broadcaster Alphonse Marie Toukas and partnered with songwriter, producer (and 70s TV host) Philippe Brejean, Ondeno blessed the world with one eponymous album and "Mayolye" was the opening cut. Vibrant, upbeat and loaded with effortless funk and Ondeno's soft falsetto, it's a vital slice of afro-disco fusion that comes complete with a subtly-charged, floor-primed Mukatsuku edit from Nik Weston. One per customer; this is not to be slept on.

Review: For those intrigued by the distinctively Gallic but authentically American-sounding world of French disco-boogie, Charles Maurice's ongoing compilation series should be essential listening. Here he serves up a third instalment that's every bit as good as its' acclaimed predecessors. Highlights naturally come thick and fast throughout, from the mid-80s dreaminess of Maya's undeniably Balearic "Lait De Coco (Dub)" and the Brenda Taylor-ish bounce of Judy Carter's brilliant "Listen to the Music", to the Leroy Burgess style piano stabs and Patrick Adams-ish disco production of Caramel's "L'Amour Toujours L'Amour". Oh, and the late night radio warmth of NST Cophies' "Segregation", a sweet, undulating workout that will no doubt find favour with Balearic selectors.

Review: It would be fair to say that Estiban Lindsay's one and only album, 1980's L.A Walk, is something of a sought-after rarity. Considered by many disco/boogie diggers to be a must-have, original copies of the Canadian classic currently change hands for three-figure sums online. Ever the dusty-fingered digger, Nik Weston has managed to license two tracks from the album after hearing global trotting DJ Hunee championing the main track in his sets in 2015 , and provides his own extended dancefloor re-edits. Both are subtly done, with Weston teasing out Lindsay's grooves and making more of his deliciously soulful versions, all without adding needless house drums or contemporary production tricks. The EP also contains the original version of the warm, disco-boogie gem "Come To Me". As played by Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music), Hunee, Eddie C, Tom Noble, Admin, Mike Shaw, Volcov, Frank Booker, Red Greg, Ashley Beedle, Joey Negro, Dom Servini, Miles Eastwick, Faze Action and many more...

Review: Waxnerds was started by Mark-One in 2014 as an Instagram chat group. Moving forward, the combined enthusiasm of Matt Love and Jamez Gant got the label up and running. For the label's seventh release, they have tapped Adam Speechly: a Liverpudlian DJ and producer based in Valencia for some disco deviance. On the A side we have the slo-mo swagger of "Flippin' The Disco" using an often sampled Salsoul classic, but pitched down well low to give it a new lease of groove - plus those familiar rap vocals layered over the top are a nice touch. On the flip, "Tux Redux" sees this bohemian b-boy get lo-slung with this blunted hip-hop joint.

Review: A truly historic record from the innovative, forward-thinking mind of Michael Viner enjoys a limited repress on Japanese import Ultra Vybe. Coated with the original Bongo Rock artwork and fully remastered, if this 45" isn't in your collection yet, now is a fine time to fill the hole. Both sides instant party pleasers that have been sampled with respect more times than you've gone record shopping. This record will never die.

Review: While officially pressed in 1976, Washington DC's funk troupe Coque never actually publicly distributed their socially conscious epic psych funk rock romp "People Let's Communicate". Most copies were damaged in a flood but a limited amount escape and were excavated 10 years ago. Now available for the first time, both sides can be digested in all their fusion and positive glory. Part one slides and glides with a little Sly Stone style smooth funk while part two gets a little crunchier. It's time to talk.

Review: Cytations, a band from Washington DC, were a brief flicker of light in the ever-expanding soul scene that took over the late 1960s. In fact, they were arguably the norm in terms of fame; much like the other bands at the time, they only produced a handful of songs before disbanding and joining other outfits - but that is the sort of stuff which dreams are made of! Their one-hit wonder - "Darling You Do" / "Suddenly" - was out in 1969 on the utterly fledgling Granjun imprint, and its rarity has been masterfully repacked by the US' Federal Green label. The former is a classic soul swinger to strut along to, leaving a seductive hum of vocals and melodies in your mind for the rest of the day, while the flip is a much deeper, more heartfelt soul ballad that is like Romeo to our Juliet. Blissful.

Review: Two killer tracks licensed from Oriki Music,mastered by Frank From Sofrito at The Carvery and taken from the recent Akwaba Abidjan compilation. These two monsters from De Frank Jr are straight up deep and funky afrobeat from 1970's Ivory Coast. More essential dancefloor delights from Mukatsuku - strictly vinyl only & singles only...As played by Hunee ,JD Twitch & Alexander Nut

Review: This tasty 7" from the reliable Mukatsuku label sees 2 killer funk treats for the dancefloor. On the A-side there's a handy and exclusive re-edit of Bahamian combo Biosis Now's ludicrously rare "Independent Bahamas", a righteous call for self-governance backed with a wonderfully fuzzy and full-throttle tropical funk groove. A copy recently for $700 on ebay for the very first time of the original 45. On the flipside we find "Tumba Safari" taken from the recent Oriki compilation, a suitably heavy chunk of Ivory Coast afro-funk from long forgotten outfit Afro Train. Weston's version naturally emphasizes the drum breaks, heavy horns and razor-sharp guitars, in the process tightening it up for contemporary club play.As played by Hunee,Red Greg ,DJ Logic and Nicola Conte

Review: The word virtuoso is thrown around like a rag in a laundry these days but Kaidi is definitely deserving of this title. A mind-blowingly talented multi-instrumentalist who was one of the clearest voices and driving forces in broken beat, Kaidi's skills remain just as slick, smooth and crafted with the fine art of surprise as ever as he follows up his "Changing Times" EP on First Word. "Hard Times" eases us in gently with a smooth jazz funk swoon laced with big orchestral sweeps, "I See What You See" ups the tempo with a superb steppy boogie twist that's loaded with some outrageous p-funk bass fills while "Super Lion" flexes around an afrobeat with full eyes (and feet) on the floor. Finally "We All Breathe The Same Air" closes with big dreamy drama that leaves you hanging for more... Just like all good virtuosos should.

Review: Newsflash: we can't handle Jerry Washington's love. But we sure can handle his fiery soul! Armed with just a touch of jazz on the fills and chorus, there's an upbeat, insistent energy to this Glades reissue that happened to be one of his last singles. Meanwhile on the B, fellow Glades alumni Timmy Thomas winds us right down with much more of a sensual soul ballad in the form of the swooning "What They Can't See". Two stunning sides of soul for two very different occasions; Suncut deliver the goods once again.

Review: For the fourth volume in Mukatsuku's ongoing Jazz Classics series, label boss Nik Weston has decided to reissue two lesser-known gems from the nu-jazz era. On side A you'll find Kirk Degiorgio in As One mode, laying down a sublime chunk of sultry jazz bliss that comes laden with virtuoso horn playing and some superb keys-work from then session player Jamie Odell (AKA Jimpster). It was recorded almost 20 years ago, but sounds timeless. Equally as impressive is Butti 49's "Spiritual Radiations", a bright-and-breezy, soul-flecked chunk of jazz positivity that sounds like Rotary Connection jamming with Kyoto Jazz Massive.Juno copies come with an exclusive hand-numbered obi strip not available at other stores plus branded sleeve & sticker.DJ support so far from Spiritland,Faze Action,Nicola Conte, Kalita Records Chris,Nick Emanative,Simon S,Steven Tang and Kay Suzuki

Review: When it comes to shining a light on obscure regional disco and boogie scenes, the crate diggers behind Cultures of Soul are rarely beaten. Their latest killer compilation gathers together little known boogie, electrofunk and J-pop released in Japan between 1981 and 1988. It's predictably brilliant from start to finish, with the squelchy synth bounce and bi-lingual vocals of Hitomi Tohyama's "Wanna Kiss" and the mid-'80s Madonna vibes of Kaoru Akimoti's "Dress Down" amongst the highlights. What's perhaps most impressive is the comparative quality of the tunes; aside from Japanese language vocals, most sound like they could have been recorded and released by New York or Los Angeles-based artists, rather than Tokyo ones. As the old cliche goes, this is "all killer, no filler".

Review: Larry Grant McGee is little more than a footnote in musical history, releasing the sum total of two seven-inch singles between 1976 and 80. Both, as any serious collector will tell you, are brilliant and - in the case of debut "The Burg (Pittsburgh PA)" - incredibly hard to find. Happily, Dynamite Cuts has given that release a new lease of life thanks to this much-needed reissue. The title track remains a fine slice of hazy, sunshine-friendly West Coast goodness that sits somewhere between Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan and groovy contemporaneous soul, with McGee's glistening jazz guitar solos heightened the baked, loved-up feel. Turn to the flip for "Happy Bicentennial USA", a celebratory tribute to his nation's 200th birthday that's as warm and delicious as they come.

Review: Two all time funk/soul classics from the Skull Snaps - a funk group active between 1963 and 1973. They were known as The Diplomats up until 1970 and released a number of singles with moderate success. Renamed Skull Snaps, they released an eponymous album on the small GSF label in 1973, before disappearing into obscurity. These selections are from the said album. New 7" reissue label Dynamite Cuts is releasing these two gems as a limited edition 500 only pressing, showcasing the two best tracks on the LP. Both have been heavily sampled in many hip-hop and club classics by Eric B. & Rakim, Digable Planets, DJ Shadow, The Prodigy and Panjabi MC to name but a few.

Review: Having recently delved deep into the Mighty Ryeders catalogue for a double 7" of scintillating, soul-fired gems, the Dynamite Cuts crew continues its fascination with Rodney Matthews' legendary combo. This double A-side treat brings together two killer cuts from the band's 1978 debut album, Help Us Spread The Message, pressing them onto a 7" single for the very first time. A-side "Star Children" is a wonderfully deep and spaced-out affair, with Matthews and company delivering heart-felt, head-in-the-clouds vocal over a deep, laidback groove. "Help Us Spread The Message" is, if anything, even more horizontal, with the Mighty Ryeders effortlessly joining the dots between the folksy bliss of laidback West Coast jazz-rock and undulating sunshine soul.