Funk / Reissue Recommendations June 2014

Review: Rare funk and soul connoisseurs Athens Of The North uncover four gems from one of the most interesting men in funk history. The man behind "Funky Nassau", Raphael Munnings really should have had a much bigger career than he did. Fortunately AOTN have recovered these four near-misses to ensure they're big hits for us... From the warm horns and Bahaman lilt of "Opportunity Knocking" to the organ and guitar heavy "Sleep On, Dream On" (think Booker T meets Hendrix) via the Gaye-style funk soul vibrancy of "Takin You Higher" this is a very special selection that pays respect to an unsung hero.

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: After the success of last year's inaugural Disco Reggae compilation from Stix, it's no surprise the long running reggae focused offshoot of Favorite Recordings have returned with a second collection. All the usual Stix suspects are present and correct here with Matcher, 7 Samurai, Mato, and John Milk all contributing to the nine tracks that will nice up any dancehall that's got a sense of humour. Stand out cuts include the 7 Samurai Electro Dub take on Levan classic "Stand On The Word" and the Grandmagneto cover of "Tainted Love". The Mato mix of "Happy" is as chalk or cheese as the original from that fella in the big hat.

Review: The first fresh material since their immense self-titled album in 2012, Detroit deep funk act unleash more of their signature soul on this limited see-through 45. "Just Move" is a bold, hooky jam where Michelle's vocals take full control in a way that all Alice Russell fans will instantly recognise. Emphatic, gutsy and smouldering, from the very first listen you'll feel like you've known it forever. "Ice Cream Man", meanwhile, is a clam-tight instrumental where the horns weave and bob athletically over a slick guitar groove. With a mild air of Afrofunk to the main horn refrain, it's got instant floor appeal.

Review: Having appeared on the super-limited "Lovers Sociali" cassette earlier this year, the talented fivesome return to Chicago's finest alternative funk label and get seriously busy with two slabs of blatant boogie. On "So Right" the groove struts with slippery synthesis while Amalia comes across like a grittier, raunchier Carol Williams. Meanwhile on "Call Me Up" we see the band tapping into the city's heritage with a rich, warm analogue vibe and overall Mr Fingers sheen. Bubbling, percussive and sprinkled with jazzy chords, this would have sounded awesome 25 years ago, it sounds great now and it'll sound just as amazing in 25 years time.

Review: Kenny Dope celebrates Record Store Day with this very special big-holed 7". First up is Just A Groove's Jason Brinks with "Tribute". Adorned with a lolloping bassline and crisp, super-tight breakbeats, it's a rootsy manoeuvre steeped in sample heritage. Flip for Master At Work's equally slick "Jazz Funky". Loopy, scratchy and rolling with effortless funk, it's a DJ's delight.

Review: Soundway's debut Sierra Leone exploration introduces us to Muyei Power who toured their country (and, on occasion, the US) throughout much of the 70s. With only a handful of 45s recorded, their sound has been largely unheard for the last 30/40 years. Until now. Complete with detailed liner notes and artwork, this album is a fantastic document. More importantly, it sounds fantastic: stretching from the more western influenced funk dynamic of "Bi Loko" to the frenetic percussive fusion of "Be Patient" via the smoky, mournful horns on the folky "Ben Ben Bee" there's a unique sound that resonates with everything else you know and love about African music during the ever-fertile 70s, yet rings and stamps with a life of its own.

Review: Declared 'holy grail' level soul by one particular collector on Discogs, The Topics' second album is the epitome of US soul in the late 70s, post the epic Motown explosion. With emphatic vocals, tight grooves and lavish production, the album embraces both the classic and more modern styles of funk and soul. From the widescreen dreaminess, twinkles and very soft disco ripples of "Choice Of A Million Girls" to the rich gospel intro and soaring falsettos of "Inflation" via the big slap bass mischief of "Man", just one blast on this and you'll understand why it's been sought after for so long. Essential.

Review: Fine funk fusion from the criminally overlooked nine piece band Cold Fire. A 1977 reissue, across the two cuts we experience the band's full breadth: "Party Hardy" lives up to its name with nagging vocals and an infectious bass run that underpins the slick guitar-struts and tight horn refrains. "Badder Than Bad" embodies its moniker with equal merit and might; sitting somewhere between Booker T and Faze O, it's a deep instrumental that's directed by horns but powered by dreamy organ work. Party on!

Review: Nicola Conte delivers once again! Digging deep into Brazil's rich modern musical history he takes us on a whirlwind tour of the finest, rarest and most creative bossa, samba and Afro-Brazilian recordings. As with all of these collections, the vibe is vast yet wholly consistent.. There's an almost an air of Mancini on 7 De Ouros's "So Balancao" thanks to the big band dynamics and mild jazz nuances. Myrzo Barroso's "Consolacao", meanwhile, is crooned with Sinatra-level showmanship while the stark, spacious percussion tells a completely different musical story. Other highlights include the frenetic R&B buzz of Anilza Leoni's "Balumba" and the lush brushed drums and sun-kissed piano hook on Quarteto De Bruno Solis's "Upa Neguinho".

Review: One of Nigeria's fist frontladies, Mona's portfolio stretches from the late 60s with The Sunflowers through to the late 70s/early 80s with The Sensationalists. Here we find her at the later stage of her career where the US new jazz influence makes its presences known over the sprightly, tight, horn-driven Lagos grooves. "I Love Myself" is the more western flavoured jam with its skippy drums and lavish arrangement. "People Of The World", meanwhile, is emphatic Afrofunk with emphatic harmonies and overlapping guitar twangs. Sun-kissed sonics sent with timeless class, Mona loves herself... And you'll love her too.